PNP Administration promising DELIVERY in House Opening Throne Speech

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, September 19, 2023 – While lengthy and containing new information regarding the constitution and healthcare, the 2023 Speech from the Throne served more as a recap of the PNP Administration’s tenure and rehash of already introduced programs, with few fresh ideas and solutions for the most significant issues facing the Turks and Caicos residents.

Penned by Hon Washington Misick, the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands  and delivered by Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor the over 30-minute long speech touched on a broad swath of issues that residents have expressed concern about including, Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, the Economy, Cost of Living, Crime and Border Security.

The initiatives addressing these issues however were, for the most part, plans residents had already heard and simply emphasized the fact that the government was ‘working for residents’.

The Governor did reveal several significant pieces of information including that the government :

• Is in the process of reassessing the delivery of services under the healthcare contract with Interhealth Canada “My government has engaged the services of experts to examine how the agreement with Interhealth Canada is being executed– I will update the House once a report on the way forward is received.”
• Will bestow a cabinet member with the responsibility for representing the TCI at CARICOM and other regional bodies rather than a UK rep. 
• Expects to have significant updates on constitutional reform by the end of the year  “A new proposal was submitted to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office– and I am pleased to say the next round of talks is scheduled to take place in the TCI in October 2023. It is my government’s hope that changes should be announced before the end of the calendar year.”
• Has secured increased funding from the UK for Aerial support. “The UK has committed to fund additional air surveillance assets to support our efforts to maintain full awareness across all our islands.”

The Premier’s speech, delivered on Thursday September 14, 2023, also addressed some of the top issues in the country.

Crime and Border Security.

“My government will not allow criminals to destroy the society we are creating. Everyone should feel safe, secure, and have full access to justice.” Selveratnam said on behalf of Misick. In that vein, the speech revealed that additional CCTV cameras are coming and ‘The UK has committed to fund additional air surveillance assets to support our efforts to enable full marine domain awareness across all of our islands.’

Other previously rolled-out initiatives like new laws extending prison times for firearm holders were also mentioned.

The Economy, 

The Speech indicated that the economy has recovered fully from the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recorded consistent growth over the last two and a half years. In the same breath, it was revealed that the country had recorded negative growth in the first quarter of 2023.

Two consecutive quarters of negative growth puts a market into recession. TCI revenues were $109.8 million, $3.7 million or 3% below estimates. The government underspent in that quarter as well Total Expenditure was $20.9 million below estimates.

Healthcare,  

“84.6M or 20% of the budget is allocated to health. Despite the huge sums, our people have not always received value for money. That must change.” Selvaratnam read, announcing the probe into the delivery of InterHealth Canada services. The government warned though that this could be a long process.

Education, 

“Proposed amendments to the universities, colleges, training institutes ordinance to improve oversight and accountability of institutes of higher learning in the TCI will be tabled in the House of Assembly shortly. Our special needs school community will see major improvements,” promised the premier through the governor. The special needs school has missed its deadlines so far for completion but TCIG is promising that the wait is almost over and experts are being introduced to consult on its creation.

Infrastructure

The speech addressed significant infrastructure concerns including roads and ports but new initiatives were few. The governor reflected on the already opened Bellefield Landing, the new $50 million port at South Dock, the Providenciales Airport redevelopment and other ongoing upgrades to the airports in South Caicos and Grand Turk.

The Speech emphasized that the government was working for the people of the Turks and Caicos and reaffirmed what it described as its sacred contract with the people.