Government
Anya Williams, MBE sworn in as Interim Governor of Turks & Caicos
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 31, 2023 – As the country hovers between British appointed governors, the reins are now in the capable hands of Anya Williams; she has been sworn in as the interim Governor much to the delight of her family and well-wishers.
Williams was sworn in on March 29 at St Monica’s Anglican by her predecessor, former Governor Nigel Dakin, to a resounding round of applause from residents and country leaders. 
Williams had an audience this time as she stepped into the role of head of state, but it is a position she has held time and again during her 10 and a half years as Deputy Governor. In fact, she has spent 885 days of that time as Acting Governor when British Governors were out of the country, she told the gathered guests.
Taken together, they give her more than two years of service as an Acting Governor, a tenure equal to and in some cases outstripping the tenure of the four Governors she has served under Dakin himself.
Citing her family as her strength, Williams, who is only the second Deputy Governor in TCI history and daughter of Pastors Dennis and Deborah Swann said, “Leadership is not easy. It requires a lot of support both on a professional and a personal level and so today, I last but most importantly must express my profound thanks.”
She took the time out to acknowledge her husband, Darren; children, parents, siblings, aunts, and extended family. Tearfully, Her Excellency Williams remembered her younger brother Brandon, who passed away after a car accident in October 2021.
Williams has been retained as Deputy Governor for over a decade now, a vote of confidence from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, which oversees the process.
It is this same office which in 2018, under then Governor Dr. John Freeman, recommended Williams, who is also a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, for the Queen’s Birthday Honours granting her an MBE
(Member of the Order of the British Empire) and affording her a meeting with the Royal Family, due to her bestowal.
At the time, Freeman said: “This is richly deserved and as the citation states, has been made in recognition of her services to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Those services are notable. The Deputy Governor continues to exhibit exemplary dedication to her duties, demonstrating the strong leadership that she displayed following the passage of both Hurricanes Irma and Maria which was commended by myself, the UK military, and NGOs present.”
Many islanders agree with this characterisation of the Grand Turk native and in their reasoning have said Williams is well equipped now to not merely act in the role of governor for these islands and cays over short periods, but to possess the job outright.
Turks and Caicos will welcome its first female governor in a few months. Until then, Anya Williams will steer the ship from the Office of the Governor until June 29, when Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam will take up her new post in the TCI.
Turks and Caicos
Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 32nd meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 9th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of H.E. Deputy Governor, Anya Williams, Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister for Tourism, and Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister for Immigration.
At this meeting of Cabinet:
- Received an update from the Statistics Authority on the progress of the current state of the Turks and Caicos Islands census.
- Approved the Supplementary Appropriation (2024/2025) Bill 2024 for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
- Approved, on an exceptional basis, the reinstatement of a Concession Order for Grace Bay Resorts.
- Approved the appointment of Ms. Latisha Williams -Bruce as Chairman of the National Insurance Appeal Tribunal for a period of two years.
- Approved the Turks and Caicos National Wealth Fund (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024 for onward submission to the House of Assembly.
- Approved the introduction of the National Quality Policy 2024.
- Approved the renewal of the lease agreement for the Public Works Department in Grand Turk for a five-year term.
- Approved the appointment of the following medical professionals to the Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Professions Council for a two-year term: Dr. Alexis Missick, Medical Practitioner; Dr. Janice Baron, Chief Dental Officer; and Dr. Reginald Thomas.
- Approved the reappointment of the following individuals as members of the Ports Authority Board for a three-year term: Mr. Tueton Williams (Chair), Crosly Bain (Member), Tracey Parker Gray (Permanent Secretary, Finance or Nominee), Permanent Secretary, Ports, Director of Ports, Chief Engineer, and Collector of Customs. Also approved the extension of Mr. Dennis Swann (Deputy Chair) and Showonda Gardiner for a term of two and a half years.
- Received an update on development for the island of South Caicos.
- Confirmed the transfer of funds from various Ministries to the Ministry of Education for additional scholarship funding.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos
Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 33rd meeting of Cabinet held on Friday, 25th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon Josephine Connolly, Minister for Tourism, Hon. Shaun Malcolm, Minister for Health and Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General with Ms. Khalila Astwood serving as Acting Attorney General.
At this meeting of Cabinet:
- Received an information paper on the Howard Hamilton International Airport Redevelopment Public Private Partnership Project and approved financing proposals for submission to the United Kingdom in line with the Public Finance Management Ordinance (PFMO).
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos
Governor, Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, chaired the 34th meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday, 30th October 2024 at the Office of the Premier and Public Policy, Leeward Highway, Providenciales.
All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Otis Morris, Minister for Home Affairs.
At this meeting of Cabinet:
- Approved policy changes and amendments to the Business Licensing Ordinance.
- Approved amendments to be made to the National Insurance (Benefit) Regulations.
- Approved an Amnesty Ordinance to provide a 6-month amnesty on penalties for outstanding contributions as well as an amendment to the National Insurance Ordinance and Regulations.
- Approved amendments to the Elections Ordinance to align with the additional requirements and subsequent changes made to the Constitution.
- Approved the recommendations made by the Supervisor of Elections and the International Observers, following consultation and discussion with the Elections Oversight Group after the 2021 General Elections.
- Approved the reformation of the National Assessment Team (NAT) related to the poverty assessment for a period of seven months.
- Approved the appointment of Ms. Rudell Williams as Chairwoman of the TCI Credit Union and further granted approval for stipends for non-TCIG board members.
- Approved the payment of costs related to a Court matter CL 130/2023.
- Approved a duty concession on the importation of furniture and fixtures as per the Refurbishment Policy for Pelican Bay Restaurant & Bar.
- Received an update on the number of approvals granted in the Restricted Business Licence Application Category – Schedule 4 of the Business Licensing Regulations 2021.
- Approved the appointment of Ms. Cagina Foster as Collector of Stamp Duty commencing November 1, 2024.
- Approved a Bill to Repeal the Legislative Service (Special Provision) Pension Ordinance for onward submission to House of Assembly.
- Approved the withdrawal of the moratorium on a parcel located within Block 60804, the Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales.
- Approved a license to Henrik Arnth-Jensen and Ekaterina Arnth-Jensen for the repair of an existing groyne and the development of a boardwalk seaward of parcels 60702/59 and 60702/60, subject to various conditions.
- Approved a rental lease agreement for additional space for the Judicial Courts at Unit #1, Rhonda’s Building, Whitby, North Caicos, for a five-year term.
- Approved a lease agreement for the Department of Gender Affairs at Unit #3B, Courtyard Plaza, Providenciales (parcel 60703/24 K 17), for a five-year term.
- Approved the Revised Vehicle Import Duty Reduction Policy for current and former Civil Servants.
- Received an update on the Renewable Energy Consultation process.
- Approved a payment to be made in relation to a Claims Against Government-Judicial Review Matter CL153/2023.
- Approved the establishment of the Quality Assurance Consultative Committee, comprising the following members: Wesley Clerveaux (Chair), Danier Lightbourne (Member), Trefa Hinds (Member, ex-officio), Luc Clerveaux (Member, ex-officio), Candesha Mills (Member, ex-officio), John Hilton (Member), Mary Lightbourne (Member), and Sasha Arthur (Member). Further approved the payment of a stipend to non-TCIG members.
- Approved the commencement of the TCIG Christmas Salary Advance 2024 Programme for Public Officers and Pensioners.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
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