Opposition speaks out on Crown Land Policy

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, February 25, 2022 – Crown Land management should be back in the hands of Islanders, under a Ministry in the TCIG says the Opposition People’s Democratic Party.

PDM Party leader, Edwin Astwood says this one is only one of several recommendations made by the opposition in a meeting with the consultants who are currently reviewing the crown land policy.

In a Facebook post, Astwood detailed the PDM’s recommendations.

“We voiced our disapproval of the current process for the grant of Crown Land, both residential and commercial, as it does not empower Turks and Caicos Islanders, and advocated for changes whereby Crown Land will be much more accessible for TCI Islanders by using a different approach rather than the lottery system approach.”

The Opposition also says they strongly recommended the Government pause all lease cancellations during this review period while the Crown Land Unit completes their policy review and would be seeking recommendations to improve the policy from the citizens of the TCI.

Finally, the Opposition members suggested that the process of getting land anywhere on the family islands should be easier.

“Another position that was raised by the Team was that the process should allow TCI’s to apply for and access available crown land in any of the family islands they prefer.”

The consultation process is a joint initiative between the TCI Gmail and the UK government to review the Crown Land policy and how it works for Turks and Caicos Islanders. At this time all that has been promised is in review no changes are yet in motion.