Government
We Need a Better Reason for giving up the keys; DMMO talks should continue
Editorial
Deandrea Hamilton
#TurksandCaicos, May 1, 2023 – People are still unsure about the Destination Marketing & Management Company, (DMMO) which newly inked bylaws on April 14, pushed further down the road of being fully established in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It is reasonable that residents and citizens are skeptical about the new engine which will drive tourism management, marketing and development in the islands.
First off, it means change, and the change is dramatic. From many seats in the theatre watching this story play out, there was simply no need for it.
A tweak of the current TCI Tourist Board legislative framework here and a nip and tuck there, and the existing entity could do – to be fair – just what the premier and minister of tourism on Monday April 24 claimed are the stark differences and advantages to the DMMO, as it is called.
The Premier, C. Washington Misick was quizzed about the role of government; he essentially conveyed that elected government is out of the intimate management of this entity. A board will determine the marketing, a board will determine the direction of tourism, a board will hire the staff and a board will spend the money; largely the people’s money.
To this Editor, it is a bit odd that Government, in particular a Progressive National Party led-government would even want to hand over its leading industry to a group, it would legally not be able to control. And here’s but one reason why…
Just now, the Turks and Caicos has managed to claw back some semblance of control when it comes to the issuance of Crown Land. After 11 years of having zero say, now the elected politician, hired by the voters will be able to participate in who gets what and does what when it comes to land and development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The British, fabulously and appropriately agreed to have us back at the table, where we should be.
So, why this ‘happy’ declaration by the Premier that elected government is handing over its main breadwinner to a
group it has no legal right to tell what to do. In essence, it is taking the electorate – that is you and me – out of the driver’s seat when it comes to Tourism Management in the Turks and Caicos.
Yes, red flags are waving high even amongst supporters of the Progressive National Party. I am sure this discomfort among the electorate is further aroused by the fact that at this time, TCI is driving a Lamborghini with epic real estate sales, tourism arrivals, government recurrent revenue and touristic development.
Why hand over the keys now? And did we really give you permission to do this?
And though Premier Misick is clinging to the story that the transition to a DMMO was never hidden, that he and his election team penned that this was coming in their Party’s manifesto, in the absence of national debates or any speech ever given pointedly about the design of this change during the 2021 campaign season, it remains unfair to the public to say, ‘but I wrote it down in the book’.
After all, we all know what they say about ideas stuffed into books.
Curious thing is so much about what was presented at the press conference last week seems excellent to implement. However, once again this casual style of sharing information and the utter failure of governments to – time and again – actually be transparent when it comes to involving this highly educated and exposed public at every step of national decision making, is running interference.
The press conference last Monday helped. Sadly though, now it’s time for more as we all savour the morsels thrown out. Now, we want to move from appetizer to soup du jour. All of this, as the Government is already back of house washing the dinner plates on an idea which, as they have touted, will revolutionize the No.1 industry.
While this can go really well and we may all look back at this moment in time and say, ‘Boy Washy really did us justice!’
Isn’t it just wisdom for government to acknowledge, with gravitas, that history dictates that not all revolutions have a happy ending and spend more time convincing the people this DMMO is the ideal move at the ideal time.
Besides, this needs to be an institution which gets greater agreement, especially among our political parties.
The bi-partisan backing of a DMMO is essential to guaranteeing that the voter does not deliver a mandate – through a General Election or otherwise – to de-construct it. Another dismantling would assuredly be costly; an expensive, untenable bill which is never borne by immature politics and politicians, but by the Public, who is too often last to be consulted or utterly ignored.
Spend more time and some money on public education about this very new idea; since it’s our tourism engine which is revving up, we not only have the prerogative, as a people, to choose the road but we can also determine the pace.
The First (1st) Sitting of the First (1st) Meeting of the Third (3rd) Session of the Twelfth (12th) Legislature of the House of Assembly of the Turks & Caicos Islands
The Opening Ceremony for the First (1st) Sitting of the First (1st) Meeting of the Third (3rd) Session of the Twelfth (12th) Legislature of the House of Assembly occurred on the 14th September at 10 o’clock in the forenoon with its usual pomp and fanfare.
During the proceedings, the Honourable Premier and Minister for Public Policy, Hon. C. Washington Misick, moved
the motion that the House of Assembly be suspended to allow for the reading of the Speech from the Throne, presented by Her Excellency, the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam.
The Speech from the Throne, having highlighted some of the Government’s accomplishments since being elected to office on 19th February 2021, culminated with the proposed Legislative Agenda to be considered for the upcoming legislative year which included, but is not limited to:
Constitution (Amendment) Order;
Retiring Allowance (Amendment) Bill;
Community College (Amendment) Bill;
Gaming Control (Amendment) Bill;
Business Licensing (Amendment) Bill;
Real Estate Licensing Bill
Immigration Bill; and
Crown Land (Amendment) Bill
The Speech from the Throne took a long-term perspective and placed emphasis on fulfilling the objectives of the Vision 2040 document and the Government’s strategic plan to move the Turks and Caicos Islands towards developed country status within the next two decades by investing in projects and policies that will result in a more robust triple-bottom-line economy.
The Speech from the Throne also addressed short to medium term deliverables; highlighting that the Governmen
t has twelve (12) high-priority projects being progressed. It posited that the National Delivery Unit (NDU) is tasked with assisting project owners and implementers advance the Government’s priorities. The value added by this Unit is the facilitation with streamlining of project management processes to ensure the most efficient timelines and use of available resources – all for the ultimate benefit of the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The day’s proceeding ended with a motion entitled: Write-Off of TC Invest/TOLCO Loan that was tabled by the Minister of Finance, the Honourable E. Jay Saunders. The motion which sought to write off $10.8 million in debt accumulated by scores of borrowers was passed. This write-off was a welcomed intervention by many Turks and Caicos Islanders, laden with debt obligations for over 11 years following the divestiture of the former TC Invest Agency. The write-off directly affects over 150 borrowers but is indirectly beneficial to many more.
For some, giving them a second lease on life, which, when property ownership is considered can be extended to inter-generationally.
Government
Turks and Caicos Islands Government Reminds Residents in the Islands of North, Middle and South Caicos of the Availability of On-Island Customer Services
#TurksandCaicos, September 19, 2023 – The Customer Services Department, in the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services, herby reminds residents in the islands of North and Middle Caicos, and South Caicos of the availability of its services on those islands.
Persons in North and Middle Caicos applying for work permits, visas, residence permits, homeowners permits, birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates can submit applications at the Immigration Office in North Caicos and conveniently pay for such applications at the Government Treasury, both located at the Paul Higgs Complex, Bottle Creek, North Caicos.
Persons in South Caicos applying for work permits, visas, residence permits and homeowners permits can submit applications to the Immigration Office located in the new Government Complex near Regatta Village and at the District Commissioner’s Office for birth, marriage and death certificates. Services can be paid into the Government Treasury also located in South Caicos.
Unfortunately, applications for naturalisation and permanent residence certificates cannot be submitted on islands other than Grand Turk and Providenciales at this time.
Speaking on the availability of these services in the family islands, the Deputy Governor and Head of the Public
Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams stated: “As a part of our efforts to improve service delivery across the Turks and Caicos Islands, additional recruitment and training has taken place on the islands of North, Middle and South Caicos in order to provide more on-island support to the population of those islands and to ease the burden of persons having to travel to Grand Turk or Providenciales to receive certain services.
The Ministry of Immigration and Border Services is heavily focused on the implementation of our new border management system. This system will give persons the ability to access services from anywhere in the Turks and Caicos Islands and around the world. More updates on this will be issued periodically through press releases and stakeholder engagement.
Meanwhile, our newly appointed Director of Business Transformation is currently performing an in-depth audit of systems and processes across government, to assist in mapping out plans to make necessary changes in government ministries and departments to improve service delivery.
The transformation of service delivery across government is a key objective for the public service in this and future financial years. We recognise where there are gaps and we are working diligently to improve the way we serve the public going forward.”
Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services with responsibility for the Customer Services Department and the elected representative for Electoral District 4: North and Middle Caicos, remarked: “As a government, we have a responsibility to bring our services to the people and to ensure that doing business with the public service is easy, convenient and efficient. There should be no barrier to services for residents who do not reside in the islands of Grand Turk and Providenciales.
The majority of these services have been available in the family islands for quite some time now, but we recently refreshed our training, processes and our engagement in these islands, to ensure that we are serving the people in the most efficient manner.
I am proud of my team’s efforts to improve these services and I am reminding the people of ED 4, as well as South Caicos, that they do not need to travel to Providenciales or Grand Turk just to submit applications or pay receipts, as they can do so conveniently on their home islands.”
The Customer Services Department continues to review all of its processes and procedures in all islands, to ensure that it is meeting its mandate to the public and invites you to participate in its customer satisfaction surveys which are undertaken quarterly.
#TurksandCaicos, September 19, 2023 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Avi Adams to the post of Director of the Department of Tourism Regulation (DTR) within the Ministry of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, Heritage, Religious Affairs, and the Environment.
Mr. Adams is a native of Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, who graduated from the H.J. Robinson High School in 2000. His tertiary education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College, CUNY, New York, NY, and a Master of Business Administration from Edinburgh University, Edinburg, SC. He also holds several certifications in accounting, finance, and human resources.
Mr. Adams has a proven track record of success in various roles, including ten years as an Accountant/Financial Analyst, ten years in Human Resources and 15 years of management experience. He has also worked in the hospitality industry for the past three years. His previous roles include several at Fortis TCI, including Supervisor of Accounts Payable, Superintendent of Supply Chain Management and the Manager for Human Resources. Mr. Adams also most recently served as the Human Resources Manager at the Shore Club Resort with the Hartling Group.
Mr. Adams is community-focused and heavily involved in various community initiatives, including coaching youth sports teams and mentorship programs.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Adams stated:
“It is incredibly humbling to be chosen to lead the new Tourism Regulatory Department. Only with God have I come this far, and it will only be him that sustains me to continue pushing forward for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
I am thankful for everyone who has contributed to this new beginning. I am excited to take on this new challenge with the Ministry of Tourism to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islands remain a premier tourist destination. I am confident that my skills and experience will positively impact our work.”
Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, Her Excellency Anya Williams, in extending congratulatory remarks to Mr. Adams, stated:
I am pleased to officially announce and congratulate Mr. Avi Adams on his appointment as Director of the Department of Tourism Regulation (DTR) within the Ministry of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, Heritage, Religious Affairs, and the Environment.
The Department of Tourism Regulations (DTR) has been formally established under the Ministry of Tourism to absorb the functions of the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board Quality Assurance Unit and TIDES Training Unit. The DTR’s mission is to develop and promote a regulatory environment conducive to a dynamic, competitive, and sustainable tourism sector in TCI.
As Director, Mr. Adams is tasked with the DTR’s oversight, coordination, and leadership, which will be responsible for regulating our leading industry. Mr. Adams will also play an integral part in legislative and policy reform that will help shape the success of our tourism product.
Mr. Adams comes to us from the private sector with a vast amount of administrative and leadership experience that will add invaluable support to efforts being made by the Ministry of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, Heritage, Religious Affairs and the Environment.
This appointment is a pivotal step for the Turks and Caicos Islands as it moves into its new tourism management and regulatory structure.
Congratulations on your new appointment, Mr. Adams and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service!”
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