Government
Home Affairs Budget will fund Online Portal for DMV, New Fire Trucks and more says Otis Morris
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – A bevy of important legislative changes and tangible projects are on the agenda for the Ministry of Home Affairs this year, as the ministry attempts to institute an all new Utilities Bill; a complete revamp of the postal service including personal mailboxes and much more.
The plans were shared on May 18th by Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs as he made his contribution to the National Budget debate, last month.
Morris’ ministerial portfolio is a broad one, covering telecommunications, transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), fire services and water services; the PNP Administration, in its Budget passed on Friday May 19, has carved out $26 million for Home Affairs and among the first targets: mail physically delivered to residents’ doorsteps.
“The Postal Services intends to set up residential mailboxes in several communities on Providenciales,” Morris said. He explained that this would begin with houses that have 911 numbers and mailbox numbers will match house numbers, TCI will be first in the Caribbean to implement it according to the Minister.
Connections will also be made with the US Postal service to allow small businesses locally, to send their product overseas with courier services provided by the local Postal Office through the United States Postal Services, and others for priority delivery to the good’s destination within two business days. This could open up small businesses in the country to the US Market expanding their client base by hundreds of millions.
In relation to water services Morris said: “As we speak, the contractor is advancing the contract for the installation
In addition, contracts for another 1-million-gallon Salt Water Reverse Osmosis Plant and 1-million-gallon storage facility have been signed, and initial stages have begun. It’s good news especially for Grand Turk residents who have had recurring issues with water availability for years.
The service time at the DMV is another long standing issue on the agenda to be fixed this year, with a new database that will allow for online applications for new and renewed licenses. Morris says it will dramatically reduce the wait time.
Other projects promised to be completed this financial year include:
- Collaborating with Carnival Cruises to add the Prison Farm as a tour stop
- New volunteer fire services,
- A new fire truck from the Miami Dade Fire and Rescue Department for North and Middle Caicos,
- A £14 million solar panel on Government buildings project,
- A Child Safeguarding Champion initiative to train students to identify and report abuse and provide support,
- A Partnership for Peace program in collaboration with UN Women to engage local men and boys.
In addition to those projects, Morris says he will be going to the House of Assembly with several bills to tackle long standing issues for the public. They include:
- Amendments to the Road Traffic and Motor Vehicles Ordinances,
- Revising the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance to make applying for status easier,
- Legislation for the implementation of Local Government,
- Drafting of Utilities Regulatory Agency Bill to create a regulatory agency for electricity water and more,
- Amendments to the Electricity Ordinance to include provisions for renewable energy.
Along with the all new Utilities Regulatory Agency, a new Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services will be created; plus a new Publishing Policy is in the works, Morris says, to highlight the gaps and missed opportunities, as it relates to the utilization of modern equipment.
Morris swore to continue to be a servant leader for residents across the country, maintaining that the budget was not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of his values and aspirations,