TCI New Governor, Current Governor and Minister deepen OPBAT Relations in Trilateral Meeting 

By Dana Malcolm  

Staff Writer  

#TurksandCaicos, March 14, 2023 – The incoming TCI Governor is already at work for the islands, and last week joined the Minister of Immigration and the current Governor in the US for high-level, trilateral border security talks.  The meeting has unfolded as the Humanitarian crises in Haiti sends shockwaves to its closest neighbours with 9,000 migrants caught at sea by the US and Bahamas, and $5 million spent on repatriation by TCI last year alone. 

The three countries have agreed to significantly enhance their 30-year-old OPBAT agreement.

In this vein, the Turks and Caicos signed a new Statement of Intent with The Bahamas and the United States Governments last week, in the presence of several high-level officials. Representing the Turks and Caicos was Governor Nigel Dakin, who is essentially the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Foreign Affairs all rolled into one. 

Dakin was joined on the National Security trip, held in the US, by Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services; Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, incoming TCI Governor as well as various permanent secretaries. 

“OPBAT offers admirable operational flexibility to all parties involved and is unique to the Northern Caribbean. While it cannot be replaced, it can – through mutual agreement and discussion – be enhanced to counter 21st century threats,” the statement read.  

The success of OPBAT notwithstanding, in the face of these new threats, challenges the countries, “accept the need to leverage our authorities against complex threats, commit to coming together to combat transnational organised crime, and pledge ourselves to our common goal of security and stability in the northern Caribbean.” 

The three countries signed off to ‘bear witness to the evolving threats in the region and acknowledge the need to dedicate resources to combating irregular migration, illegal financial transactions, unlicensed fishing, international criminal operations, and the trafficking of guns, goods, and people.’  

The threats of the major displacement from extreme weather, ongoing crisis, and political instability were also acknowledged. 

Last December the TCI visited The Bahamas in an effort to deepen security alliances with the neighbouring nation and the US, a goal which the country has now achieved, and one which Dakin describes as vital.  

The trip introduced Selvaratnam to intricate immigration issues in the Turks and Caicos which she will oversee come June, as she takes over as the country’s head of National Security.