Renewed Focus for the Big South, Member excited about Budget Allocations

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – “South Caicos will finally get the economic boost that we have been waiting for, for such a long,  long time!”

That’s the promise from John Malcolm, Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for South Caicos, as he reeled off all the benefits coming to his constituency this financial year including beautification and upgraded flight plans. He was speaking during the National Budget Debate last Thursday morning.

“These are just the start of the works that will bring about the transformation of South Caicos as a whole” he vowed. Included in those works? A fix to the sketchy flight situation on the island.

Malcolm referenced the consistent delays residents experienced with flights and promised: “That is about to be alleviated. Steps are now being taken to increase the amounts of domestic and international flights in and out South Caicos.  I am more than excited about the prospect of this. I am ecstatic,” he said to a loud applause from his comrades.

He said stakeholders had expressed confidence in the ‘rapid exponential growth’ that his constituency was capable of, that confidence he said was partly due to the ongoing infrastructure upgrades that South Caicos had been experiencing in recent years with the new terminal building; upcoming completion of South Caicos Port; and the construction of two five star hotels one of which (East Bay Resort) was soon to be rebranded by world class hotel chain Marriott.

The Member from South Caicos repeatedly expressed how excited he was for these upgrades; describing the Budget as ambitious and audacious; he revealed how much cash was being put into the island:

• $ 500,000 for the redevelopment of Regatta village
• $ 1.5 million for dredging and Welcome Centre and a hygienic ‘Fish House’ for fishermen
• $ 500,000 for resurfacing of local playground

In addition, at least two private citizens have approached Malcolm directly he said, expressing interest to finance water services. A new library for the community is being sponsored by a group of overseas churches, reported the MP.

“I am excited that a renewed focus is being placed on the revival of the South Caicos Economy,” he said.