Turks and Caicos Post Cabinet Meeting Statement

#TurksandCaicos, April 28, 2022 – Her Excellency the Acting Governor, Anya Williams, chaired the 11^th meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday 23 March 2022 at the Premier’s Office on Grand Turk.

 All Members were present. At this meeting Cabinet:

•  Approved the Estimates of expenditure for a Supplementary Appropriation (No. 3) Bill 2022 for submission to the House of Assembly to facilitate: additional funding of the new pensions scheme; repatriation of irregular migrants; legal claims against government; procurement of assets and land acquisition for government.
•  Agreed for the approved Provisional Warrant Resolution 2022-23 to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund in respect of the recurrent expenditure for part of FY2022-23 to be advanced to the House of Assembly.
•  Approved an extension of the timeline for completion from 3 to 4 years and final Development Agreement between the TCI Government and BBF Cooper Jack Ltd. (The Strand) for the development of luxury residences and vacation villas in Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales.

 Was updated on the National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) of the TCI National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) as at 31^st December, 2021. Members approved for the NHIB to go outside of established analogues to recruit and remunerate the Change Manager Operations and Change Manager Finance positions.

• Approved for the TCI Government to host the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) governance meeting in December 2022.
•  Approve the appointment of Trevor Cooke as Chairman of the National Insurance Board for a period of 5 years with effect from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2027. Members also approved the PS Education or his nominee to represent the Government in the absence of the PS of Finance.

 Discussed the provision of official office space for the Leader of the Opposition.

•  Approved the exemption of Import Customs Duties for the importation of a vehicle for a named individual similar to an existing policy which applies to Leaders of Churches.
•  Approved the exemption of Import Customs Duties for the importation of all-terrain vehicles by Chukka Caribbean Adventures for the provision of excursions to cruise ship passengers on Grand Turk. Members also agreed for a revised policy in support of businesses working in the same sector.
•  Approved for the TCI Government to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the following Parcels:

 a)    10304/156, Grand Turk for the expansion of the tourism corridor on the island,

b)    10304/139 & 140, Grand Turk for the expansion of the tourism corridor on the island,

c)     51205/18, 43 & 44, North Caicos to construct a Community and Recreation Centre, and

d)    10404/157, Grand Turk for the purpose of developing domestic fire and emergency services on Grand Turk.

e)    60607/79, Providenciales, for the purpose of developing several capital infrastructure projects linked to internal and national security including but, not limited to, a Prison Remand Centre, the RTCIPF Marine Branch Base and an Immigration Detention Centre.

•  Approved the applications for Class A Processing and Export Licenses from Caicos Seafood Ltd. (Godet Street, South Caicos); Caicos Fisheries Ltd. (Guagabeen Street, South Caicos); DNA Fishing (Albert Capron) and Provo Seafood (Five Cays, Providenciales) and discussed Class B Processing and Export Licenses for further discussion.
•  Approved the extension of existing COVID-19 measures and protocols until 30 April 2022 and the following amendments: 

 a)    Removed the requirement of obtaining written permission from the Chief Medical Officer or Chief Environmental Health Officer and written approval (permit) from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources for any gathering or social activity (whether private or public), including on public beaches  

b)    Amend quarantine regulations requiring persons to self-isolate for 5 days if they test is positive. 

c)     Effective May 1^st, 2022 only a negative covid-19 test within 72 hours will be required for visitors entry into the Turks and Caicos Islands and Pre-Travel Authorization will be discontinued.   

 Members also discussed the need for a Covid-19 strategy covering measures and entry requirements going forward.

 Noted a paper on the regional implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine and approved the application of a temporary visa regime for Russian and Ukrainian nationals travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

•  Noted recommendations by the Procurement Board on the award of the following contracts:

 a)       TR 21/43, Consultancy Services for the Providenciales International Airport Redevelopment Project;

b)    NHIB 03/2021, TR 21/11, Motor Vehicles for the national Health Insurance Board;

c)     TCIFSC 02/2021, TR 21/20, Replacement Vehicle for TCI Financial Services Commission;

d)    PN 005225, SSP, Homes for Domestic Violence – Providenciales, Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation;

e)    PN 005575, SSP, water Distribution Pumping Station – Grand Turk, Ministry of Home Affairs and Transportation; and

f)      PN 005612, SSP, IT Command and Control System (CAD Radio Upgrade All Islands, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

 Re-approved the granting of management responsibility to the Public Works Department over parcel 50206/7 for use as a staging area and an asphalt plant to facilitate the planned road works for North Caicos.

•  Was updated on issues related to the Ministries of:

1.     Immigration, and

2.     Education.