TCI should have its own Passport Office says PDM Opposition

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, April 6, 2023 – In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Edwin Astwood, TCI Opposition Leader expressed concern that the upcoming passport strike in the UK had not been addressed by the government and explained the Opposition was now demanding a passport office for the TCI.  The People’s Democratic Movement accused the government of continuing the trend of silence on the things that matter to Turks and Caicos islanders.

“News broke of the UK passport Office workers being on strike for an announced five weeks.  Staff at the passport office have demanded a 10 percent pay raise and job security.  The strikes will affect seven passport offices across the UK,” he said.

“Strikes could delay the passport processing of 10 million applications expected this year.  The strikes will commence this week, just before Easter weekend.  How does that affect people who are trying to renew or get their passports?  Does this government know what is happening, do they care? It appears not to both.”

Magnetic Media had reported on the strike action announced, citing a report from the Cayman Islands that it was expected it would delay Passport processing for its overseas territory citizens.  Former governor, Nigel Dakin, had assured the strike would have no adverse effect on the TCI, however.

Clearly, the PDM disagrees, pointing to the media reports in the UK which state otherwise.

“The PDM is seeking to make submissions for The UK government to have a passport office set up here in the Turks and Caicos, and their other Overseas Tertiaries.” said the release.

Dakin reminded that it takes 10 weeks to turn around a passport for the Turks and Caicos; the strike is set for a five-week period.

But that is not the only gripe the PDM has with the PNP government, when it accuses them of silence.

“All the events and occurrences that are impacting our everyday lives are never mentioned or considered by them— Two weeks ago, Sunday morning, a young man was killed in Five Cays, and not a single comment, a few days ago we all saw the video of the incident on the street in Grace Bay, and still nothing.”

Purported silence on illegal migration and continuing health care issues were also topics that the Opposition claims the government is silent on, describing it as “unacceptable by any standard.”

“They continue to be quiet and hide in their offices, only showing their face when at some celebration or at some formal event, and only want to speak when they think that they are passing good news. But where are the PNP Government in the bad times, where are they when our people are facing difficulties, where are they when our people are hurting and need an intervention from the Government?”

Since then the Government has beefed up its communications arsenal with additional personnel.