POSTPONED TO 2023: TCI Chaired Joint Ministerial Council meeting

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 4, 2022 – The once-yearly Joint Ministerial Council which gives UK Overseas Territories the opportunity to meet with UK leaders and have their concerns heard in England and should have been chaired by the Turks and Caicos this year has been postponed.

The meeting which was set to begin on November 7th this year was left in limbo after a UK cabinet reshuffle.  Governor Nigel Dakin detailed why in response to Magnetic Media questions.

“The JMC is being rescheduled to another date as soon as possible, as it was unclear until this week whether a newly appointed Minister for Overseas Territories would have sufficient time in their diary either to be briefed in preparation for, or indeed to attend, the JMC on the dates planned.”

The new Minister Zac Goldsmith, having already confirmed a pre-existing commitment to attend COP27 next week, was unavailable Dakin said.

Former Minister of the Overseas Territories Jesse Norman with whom Premier Washington Misick had a  working relationship has been rerouted to the Transport Ministry and visited the islands last week on a pre scheduled tour.

“The postponement is to ensure we get the very best out of the event, with UK Ministers holding new portfolios settled into their roles.” Dakin said.

He revealed too that the Premier will still co-Chair the event in the early part of next year as the OTs work to  organize a suitable time.

Dakin maintained the postponement would have very little effect on the TCI, thanks to the recent cross country visits made by himself, the Premier and Norman which allowed them to liaise on crime, crown land, procurement and the airport, e-government, e-borders and support to internal and national security.