Government
Demolition Coming for Illegal Settlements, this month announces Ministry of PPID
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 14, 2023 – The government is actively tackling informal settlements with at least two demolitions scheduled for early March. The information was revealed at a press conference hosted on Wednesday March 1 by Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development at CrackPot Kitchen.
“We are currently visiting two active sites that we are looking to carry out some demolishing works, one in Grand Turk and the other in the Lower Bight,” said Toriano Williams, Deputy Director of Planning.
Williams explained that the Department had already carried out the majority of its due diligence as it related to legislation including getting enforcement notices approved at the Board level, by the Director and also by the Minister.
“Sometimes these sites are sometimes the breeding grounds for criminal activities and improper use of the spaces in terms of disposal of solid waste. In any event, if there is an emergency those persons that live there are vulnerable [having] no access by emergency personnel,” he said.
Williams maintained that it was for these reasons as well as hurricane risk in unplanned areas that residents should endeavour to involve the Planning Department in all of their construction.
Jamell Robinson, Minister of PPID maintained that despite the urgency of the issue the demolitions would be carried out humanely.
“Informal settlements [have] been a vexing issue for decades in this country so we have to demonstrate to people that we are cognizant of it and we are doing something about it. We are doing it by the law and we are doing it in a humane way to make sure all involved are not adversely impacted.”
Minister Robinson confirmed that there is cooperation with the Human Rights Commission; keeping them abreast of all the steps as the demolition process progresses in order to avoid stalling or delays once the Order is given, due to humanitarian issues.
“We legitimately have to get our hands around it and it’s not only government land– what was a two-bedroom little shanty becomes a ten-bedroom in no time.”
It was 10 months ago, during the TCIs First Climate Change Summit that Washington Misick, TCI Premier made a promise that the government would address the settlements with a new task force.
Also present at the press meeting were all four PPID Departments, namely: Toriano Williams, Deputy Director of Planning; Neroy Kennedy, Director of Estate Management; Ian Constantine, Deputy Director of Capital Projects and Dominique Durham, the Director of Housing.
Photo: Toriano Willilams, Deputy Director of Department of Planning, TCIG
Turks and Caicos, January 20, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 41st meeting of Cabinet held on December 11th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood acting as Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Considered proposals related to the 2022 Crown Land Review Report.
- Approved the mutation of parcels 60603/57, 60610/316, 60700/107, and 20313/47, 58 & 59 and for the same to be vested with the
TCI Airports Authority. - Received a presentation on proposals on the integration of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies into programs at the Turks and Caicos Community College.
- Approved the management authority of parcel 60503/315 to the Turks & Caicos Islands Sports Commission for multi-purpose use for the development of a community park and recreational facility.
- Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission on the establishment of a National Sports Training Centre.
- Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission regarding the establishment of a Department of Parks and Recreation.
- Received a presentation from the Ministry of Health on matters relating to the National Health Insurance Board.
- Approved the re-appointment of Mrs. Angela Musgrove as the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos for a three-year term.
- Approved the appointment of Mr. Henry Wilson as a member to the Fisheries Advisory Committee.
- Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:
- PN 005690, TR 24/09, Upgrading Bight Park
- PN 005729, TR 24/23, Vehicles for Immigration
- PN 005730, TR 24/08, DDME Communication Equipment – Mobile Antenna
- PN 005765, TR 24/31, Redevelopment of Regatta Village
- TCINIB 01/2024, TR 24/26, Vehicles for NIB
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 40th meeting of Cabinet held on December 4th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present, with the exception of Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood, acting as Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Approved the Turks and Caicos Islands Fiscal Strategic Policy Statement.
- Approved the negotiation of a Development Agreement/Order with Retreat Development Ltd.
- Approved the transfer of excess revenue from the Consolidated Fund into the National Wealth Fund for the Financial Year Ending 31 March 2024.
- Approved Planning Application PR 17673 for a proposed watch tower and rest station on block and parcel 60000/345 for the TCI Regiment.
- Approved the negotiation of a license agreement with the Proprietors of Balfour Salt Ltd. for a period of 10 years.
- Approved the policy document for the use of Biometrics and Introducing an Electronic Travel Authority Requirement.
- Approved the appointment of Mr. Lynden Hall Snr. as a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission Board for a period of two years.
- Approved the write-off of water charges and penalties in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Kingston, Jamaica, January 18, 2025 – Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all Jamaicans have access to affordable housing solutions.
He noted that there is an imbalance between housing supply and affordability, with many qualified individuals struggling to find solutions within their income bracket.
“The issue is not the finance; it’s that people who qualify can’t get the houses that are available on the market,” he pointed out, while addressing a recent meeting with the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee at the Office of the Prime Minister.
He explained that the market is producing homes primarily for those with higher income, leaving a gap for low and middle-income families.
In addition, he noted that houses priced at $12 million are often sold for $18 million due to market demand dynamics.
“What we want to do is to get the market to produce houses in all categories,” he said, stressing the need for affordable options alongside high-end developments.
“We need developers who can build houses at scale to bring down costs and make housing more affordable,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister noted the role of the National Housing Trust (NHT) in financing low-income and achievable housing projects.
“We’re doing everything to create what is called effective demand,” he said, noting that the Guaranteed Purchase Programme was introduced as a strategic measure to mitigate market risks for developers.
“We say to developers; you build the houses, we buy them at a specific price and then we sell them at an affordable price,” he detailed.
This approach aims to encourage developers to construct homes without fearing financial losses.
“Government can’t build houses; what we can do is use resources to finance affordable housing and say, ‘you can only get this finance if you sell at this price’,” he pointed out.
The Prime Minister cited other initiatives aimed at making housing more affordable, including reducing the interest rates on mortgages, with some low-income borrowers benefiting from a zero per cent interest rate.
Efforts are under way to deliver 43,000 houses over the next few years as part of a broader strategy to meet housing demands.
CONTACT: ANDREW LAIDLEY
Release: JIS
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