Task Force coming, will help rid TCI of Shanty housing & Illegal developments

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#Turksandcaicos, May 16, 2022 – A powerful new task force will be set up to deal with informal settlements according to Premier Washington Misick who explained the project during the budget debates

“We have too many unplanned, unregulated and substandard communities across these Islands on both public and private lands. These shanties are of poor structural quality and the communities lack basic amenities and services such as water, electricity, roads, stormwater drains, lighting, and sanitation; they degrade the environment, are not fit for habitation, and are also considered among the most challenging issues facing the TCI.”  He said.

Misick maintained that the informal settlement Task Force was the answer to the issue.

“Under the oversight of the National Security Council (NSC), this team of experts will work with public and private sector stakeholders on a multi-year project to tackle this long-standing issue. This task force will tackle not only the obvious physical infractions but also the social problems that are associated with living in these communities of informal settlements.”

The premier said the task force would be made up of ‘individuals with specialised skills and would work to ‘find solutions and craft legislation to address the issues of enforcement and social interventions.’

This task force, Missick said, would be able to act on behalf of, or in conjunction with, the Crown Land unit, the Police, the Social Welfare Department, and Human Rights Commission to remove the settlements.

The premier did not explain exactly what powers

will be passed on to the task force from these institutions. There was no indication  as to whether they would have power of arrest.

The ability to act on behalf of the police and social welfare departments alone would make this task force an extremely powerful agency in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Misick maintained that the removals would be safe and humane.