By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, December 6, 2022 – Less than 30 percent of crown land in TCI is still in the government hands evidencing the need for the now confirmed restructure of the Crown Land Ordinance.  Washington Misick, TCI Premier made the announcement at a town hall meeting in North Caicos indicating that the government was looking at slowing down development countrywide, especially in Providenciales.

While still acknowledging the importance of investment in the TCI he said, “There’s tremendous development pressure on Providenciales for example and the question has to arise whether we should be drawing the line– and controlling the pace.  If the focus of the development is not benefiting the local communities then one has to question whether that is something that we should promote or support.”

The revelation came in response to a request for an update about the Crown Land policy from a twin islander. 

“The Minister for the FCDO (UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office) and myself, just a few days (ago) signed off on acceptance of the recommendations fully all 146,” Premier Misick said. 

The public will be able to see the 146 recommendations on the Crown Land Ordinance agreed by the UK and the TCI  in a matter of days as they are to be posted publicly, according to the PNP Administration.

The recommendations will revamp what Premier Washington Misick described as a “nonsense” policy

The reassessment of the Crown Land policy is highly anticipated by residents of the Turks and Caicos across all islands who have, for years, had difficulty with acquiring land for homes.

The premier, who served in the 1990s as Chief Minister, blamed previous policies for that inaccessibility which left many indigenous islanders feeling disenfranchised.

“I know this is a sore point for you” he told the twin islanders.  “The past policy was basically nonsense– [an] approach that lacked common sense.  Before that the process by which land was [given] was totally unsustainable it would have been that the next generation would have no public land left.  People were given parcels of land without any roads, without proper access without proper roads and services”

Misick, who is also a realtor and developer, said the recommendations would be posted on the premier’s website within days.