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Opposition Leader says Budget increases going to Consultancies not TCI People

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2023 – The increases in the PNP’s historic $424 million budget are hidden in consultancy, utility, and normal salary inflation costs while programs and services to the people of the Turks and Caicos either remained the same or were directly cut sometimes by thousands of dollars; Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, was speaking in his response to the new budget.

Astwood maintained, on Wednesday, it is money residents won’t see directly.

“There are big jumps in utility and electricity costs, that is what the minister is bragging about. It isn’t programs, it isn’t money going directly to the people.”

Astwood, who had referred to the budget as a ‘Historic Budget of Constraints,’ found cuts in every ministry and department he shared during his response on May 17th. He said the size of the budget increased every year making them all ‘historic,’ but what was important was the amount of money going directly to the people. That is where he says this budget fails.

“I have seen budgets from former PDM and PNP Administrations provide far, far more for our people while being less in total expenditure. Previous administrations had a higher percentage of the budget going to the people, whereas this budget has almost nothing going directly to the people. The $424 million is the most ever in the overall total but the least ever percentage being spent directly on the people.”

In that vein, he listed what had increased and what had been cut for residents listening in. Astwood said decreases (in budgeted or actual spending) were recorded in: Community Policing; Social Welfare for the Police: Local Training for the Attorney General’s chambers and Deputy Governor’s office; Court Costs; Advertising for the Deputy Governor’s Office; Youth Activities for all schools’ Witness Protection (cut by half); Local Government Transformation; Ministry Travel; Youth Activities in the Youth Department; Cemetery Upkeep; the DMV; Travel, Rations, Maintenance and Social welfare in the Department of Corrections; the Works Program; Maintenance of Roads, fixed assets medical buildings; and public assets in the Ministry of PPID.

There were no decreases (or increases) awarded to the following: Training for police; Legal aid; Repatriation; Invest TCI; Street cleaning under PPID; Maintenance of Street Lights and Vehicles and Youth Activities in the Department of Heritage; Scholarships.

Astwood was incensed at the cuts and lack of increases he said, “We aren’t increasing scholarships? The position of our country today and how we need scholarships– there’s not one cent more in this historic $424 million budget with over $200 million in the bank?” he asked.

He said he was especially frustrated at the cuts and non-increases to youth programs.

“It’s much ado about nothing, nothing has changed. Everything is the same, no increase-” he said, referring to the Department of Heritage’s stagnant budget.

“That is saying that this money isn’t for our children –  we have $424 million and $200 in the bank but our children, taking part in culture, you get nothing.”

Despite claims to the contrary, Green and Gender Budgeting are copiously missing from the budget according to Astwood. He expressed disdain at the $4,800 budgeted for Environmental Awareness Week.

“It’s just a catchphrase for you all. I don’t know if the Premier and Finance Minister knows what green budgeting is; from the allocations here, I have to draw that conclusion,” he said.

Astwood acknowledges increases in the following areas:  National Celebrations; Home Help and Welfare; Consultancies in the Police Department, Immigration, Education, and Tourism. Utilities in the Judiciary; Home Affairs among others also increased. Daycare, After School Programs and Feeding Programs were new programs with significant allocations. Civil Servant costs increased across most departments.

E Jay Saunders, Finance Minister and Deputy Premier, had lambasted Astwood on Tuesday for disparaging his Budget, maintaining that they were spending more on the population than ever before.

“We are spending $135 million more on the people of our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands than has ever been spent prior to our government— if I’m wrong, tomorrow or today or whenever you come with your speech, please show me where we’re spending less,” he challenged.

Astwood responded to the claims, “We can’t be talking about the biggest budget ever and we’re here cutting and cutting— The Minister of Finance tried to make me out to be a teller of untruth– someone who is misleading the people but we can see it right here in front of us cuts, cuts, cuts!”

He maintained that he was committed to presenting the truth to TCI islanders as it was his job and he would continue to do so.

Listed are a non-exhaustive list of the actual figures itemised by the Leader of the Opposition as as read from the year’s budget book with decreases either from the Budgeted or actual spending in the last financial year:

Social Welfare (Police)  $284 thousand (actual) down to  $250 thousand

Local Training (Attorney General) $26 thousand down to $22 thousand

Court Costs (Judiciary $361 thousand down to $346 thousand

Advertising (Deputy Governor) $55 thousand down to $50 thousand

Local Training (Deputy Governor) $52 thousand down to $40 thousand

Youth Activities (HJ Robinson) $20 thousand down to $14 thousand

Youth Activities (Youth Department) $142 thousand down to $125 thousand

Witness Protection (Home Affairs) $54 thousand down to $21 thousand

Local Government Transformation $49 thousand down to $35 thousand

Cemetery Upkeep from $10 thousand down to $7,500

Travel (Dept of Corrections) $23 thousand down to $13 thousand

Rations(Dept of Corrections) $369 thousand down to  $356 thousand

Maintenance (Dept of Corrections) $439 thousand down to $191 thousand

Social welfare (Dept of Corrections) $251 thousand down to $150 thousand

Works Program (PPID) $3.4 million down to $900 thousand

Maintenance of roads (PPID) $670 thousand down to $635 thousand

A non-exhaustive list of increases as quoted by Astwood included:

Consultancy (Judiciary) $2,000 up to $44 thousand

Consultancy (Immigration) $79 thousand up to $3.1 million

Local training (Immigration) $1,900 up to $3,185

Daycare (Education) new items

National Celebrations (Tourism) $177 Thousand up to $ 213 thousand

Home Help (Home Affairs)  $1.5 million up to $1.6 million

Welfare (Home Affairs) $2.37 million up to $2.38 million

Welfare Grants (Home Affairs)  $128 thousand up to $210 thousand

Government

Tamica Prospere Appointed Director of Learning and Development

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.

With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.

Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.

Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.

She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.

Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.

Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”

In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.

As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.

Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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Government

Melissa Holland Appointed as Public Service Information Officer

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Holland as the new Public Service Information Officer within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Ms. Holland holds an Associate Degree in Business from Turks and Caicos Community College, a Creative Suite Certificate in Website Development from StackSkills, and an Administrative Professional Certification from the College of Administrative Professionals. She has also engaged in continuous learning through Coursera.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Holland has accumulated valuable experience in various roles. She began her journey as a Clerical Officer at the Ministry of Education from June 2007 to May 2009 and was promoted to Secretary to the CEO from December 2009 to April 2010. Subsequently, she served as the Assistant to the Director of Sales, Marketing & Rentals at Apes Hill Club in Barbados from May 2011 to July 2014. Ms. Holland then took on the role of Office Assistant at Growing Soul Records in Miami, FL, from August 2014 to October 2015, followed by another position as an Office Assistant at Arrow Electronics in Denver, CO, from November 2015 to June 2018.

In June 2018, she became a Multimedia Specialist at Shop Genesis and later transitioned to the role of Creative Director at Black Sage Analytics from September 2020 to 2022. More recently, she served as an Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Health and Human Services from December 2022 to March 2023, before moving to the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services as an Administrative Officer from March 2023 to August 2025. She acted as the Communications Officer for Border Force in September 2023.

Upon her appointment, Ms. Holland shared her enthusiasm, stating, “My journey from capturing moments through lifestyle photography to creating designs that honor the vibrance of Caribbean culture has been shaped by both creativity and faith. Stepping into the role of Public Service Information Officer is a privilege and an exciting opportunity to unite my love for storytelling with service. Guided by Proverbs 3:5-6, I trust God to continue directing my path and using my gifts for a greater purpose”.

Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, congratulated Ms. Holland, stating, “We are delighted to congratulate Ms. Melissa Holland on her appointment as Public Service Information Officer and to welcome her to our team in the Office of the Deputy Governor.

In this important role, Ms. Holland will be responsible for the accurate and timely dissemination of both internal and external communications related to the operations of the public service, including circulars, notices, appointment announcements and other official updates.

We are confident that Ms. Holland’s diverse background and professional expertise will be invaluable in fulfilling these responsibilities and we look forward to the meaningful contributions she will undoubtedly bring to the team.

Congratulations, Ms. Holland, on your new appointment!”

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    Government

    Andy Missick Appointed Juvenile Manager

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    Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andy Missick as the Juvenile Manager within the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services in the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities.

    Mr. Missick holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Social Work from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.

    His professional experience includes serving as a Registration Officer at the Financial Services Commission for three years, a Social Worker for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government for one year and as a Probation Officer in the Department of Rehabilitation & Community Supervision from 2023 until his recent promotion.

    Sharpening his skills in the area of rehabilitation, Mr. Missick has completed professional training in the following areas: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Case Management, Risk Assessment, Intake and Interviewing Techniques, Counseling, Report Writing, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Reentry and Reintegration Planning, Community Resource Networking, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Behavior Modification, and Social Skills Training.

    Known for his contributions to Youth Leadership and Representation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and elsewhere, Mr. Missick currently serves as the Male CARICOM Youth Ambassador since 2023 and is a currently a Youth Parliamentarian having representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 12th Annual Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand; the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London, United Kingdom and the Caribbean Youth Summit 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica.

    In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Missick is involved in community service and volunteerism through the Rotaract Club of Providenciales, where he has been an active member for seven years. He has held various leadership positions, including Sergeant-at-Arms, Foundation Chair, Youth Service Director, Wellness Chair, Fundraising Director, Vice President and currently serves as the President.

    Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Missick stated, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. Growing up in the Turks and Caicos, I have seen far too many young lives cut short. Some lost to violence, some to poor choices and some to the weight of circumstances they never asked for. Those experiences are etched into me and they are the reason I feel such deep gratitude and responsibility in being appointed Juvenile Manager. This is more than a role; it is a calling to stand in the gap for our youth, to remind them that they are not defined by their mistakes but by the greatness still inside of them. I believe in second chances, I believe in opportunity, and I believe that with guidance, accountability and hope, our young people can rise above their struggles and become the leaders of tomorrow.

    I anchor myself in the words of Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” True leadership is service, and in serving our youth, I serve the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This appointment is not just about today. It is about building a legacy of hope, discipline and purpose for tomorrow”.

    In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Mr. Andy Missick on his appointment as Juvenile Manager with the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, within the Ministry of Public Safety.

    The post of Juvenile Manager is a critical role, focused on shaping the future of our islands by supporting, guiding and rehabilitating at-risk youth. The Juvenile Manager plays a key part in ensuring that young individuals are given every opportunity to grow into productive, empowered citizens who contribute meaningfully to society.

    Mr. Missick brings to this position a wealth of experience, a deep passion for youth empowerment and a proven track record of service and leadership. His longstanding commitment to the development of young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands is well known, having served with distinction as a CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Youth Parliamentarian and a dedicated member of the Rotaract. Through these platforms, he has consistently advocated for youth engagement, policy development and community service, earning the respect of peers and stakeholders alike.

    We are confident that Mr. Missick will continue to inspire and implement innovative initiatives that uplift our youth and strengthen our communities.

    Congratulations, Mr. Missick, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to the positive impact you will undoubtedly make in this vital role.”

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