#TurksandCaicos, September 15, 2023 –

Mr. Speaker, I want all to know that I have just received the Throne Speech two minutes ago, which I have to give a response to. But Mr. Speaker, as being a good Boy Scout, I am always prepared.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the government has five Honorable Members absent here today, three of them being Ministers of Cabinet- The Minister of PPID, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Home Affairs.

This is the first time in the History of the House of Assembly we have elected members missing from the opening of the House. If the Hon. Premier can manage his Cabinet, how can we expect him to run the country?

Mr. Speaker, times are hard for many of our people, much harder than they should be, especially after a few months of passing the biggest budget in our country’s history.

Mr. Speaker, the Speech from the throne is intended to outline the Government’s vision for the country and our people during this upcoming session of the House of Assembly.

As Leader of the Opposition, it is my duty to the people that I offer my opinions and views, in an attempt to collectively work together to secure a brighter and prosperous future for our people.

Turks and Caicos Islanders and residents are tired of being told one thing, only to realize that this government will do something very different.

Mr. Speaker, Strangers in the Gallery-Did this Throne Speech lay out the government policies?

The government failed to give an overarching message for the future

The Throne Speech- Usually articulate some indication of something new, something exciting This is probably the emptiest throne speech that I can recall…. There is so little about the economy

It lacks Ideas or purpose, without a guiding principle or a road map for delivery- This shows just how far out of touch this government is. They are too tired to grasp the opportunities of the future.

Mr. Speaker, this is supposed to be the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, instead, we have a government that thinks and behaves like, it’s the government of the United Nations of Special Interest Groups.

Mr. Speaker Grand Turk has been badly neglected, Thank God for the COVID delay in my projects of the indoor facility next door, and the delay to the the paving of front street, or else the people would have seen absolutely nothing happening.

Salt Cay -nothing but repairs to a fallen-in bridge, Middle Caicos Nothing, Half of Provo -particularly where our people reside- Nothing. Many communities in Provo have gotten nothing from this government, ask the people living in those constituencies.

Never before have our people have been asked to pay so much for so little

My Speaker, I believe a Throne Speech is like a commitment to the people, a promise.

We all know that the best way to judge the reliability of a promise is to look at the recent history of the promises made before. So, were they kept, or were they not?

Mr. Speaker in the Throne Speech the Hon Premiere Said that 2022-2023 had been challenging.

So, I think if we go back and take a look at the something that was I the Premier and his government contractual agreement – pg. 24 #2.   We would get a gauge of how much stock we should put into this year’s Throne Speech.

And just recently I spoke to a woman in Palm Grove, a parent. And Mr. Speaker was compelled to tell me that – her daughter was denied a scholarship , despite having the prerequisite passes, and after completing 2 years at the community college, but this mother is a fighter, she is finding other means to ensure that her daughter’s dreams are not crushed.

And Mr. Speaker on Pg 16. # 5 ; They stated and signed  :…………..(refer to book)

Mr. Speaker At 18 years.. our qualified students have not even started life … but this government is already crushing their dreams.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke to an 18-year-old in Providenciales, with distinctions in his subjects- who applied for a scholarship and was outright denied – With whom does this government intend to build our country?

Our young people have been ostracized, not looked after, not cared about by this Government.

This PNP government is not preparing a future for these young people…. Mr. Speaker….

Mr. Speaker parents leaving a house with a bill attached to it is not preparing a future for our children…..

Our parents working  two jobs to put food on the table is not preparing a future for your children.

Mr. Speaker, They say if you get this education you have money- well that’s a lie- ask those who got it-they don’t have any money-  how many of you can put your hands on $50,000 right now?

Mr. Speaker, You can’t feel it, strangers in the gallery you can’t feel it- that the youth don’t want to hear a damn thing you are saying- if you are not talking about what they want to hear.

You can’t feel it when you are talking to them, parents you can feel it when you are talking to your children that this is a New Generation and they don’t want to hear your compromising talk.

They are not afraid like many of you are about Self Determination and Self Government. —

-I Go back to the Scripture read by the Chaplin— About Moses and Joshua—-comment——–

Mr. Speaker, I want this PNP government to know that No cowardly, self-serving, passive, submissive Leader, will lead this new generation of Turks and Caicos men and women into the future. Those days of leading our people like that are finished.

Why the hell-o don’t you stand up and tell the British that their Direct rule and control of our country and people is not going to hold, nor work, anymore? Why don’t you stand up?

You have to stop this kind of weak speaking when judgment has hit the TCI!!

You got to prepare our people for what is coming to us.

Mr. Speaker, it reminds me of the old saying – “A leopard never changes its spots”

Now Mr. Speaker, I know that you and the people listening in, those in this honorable house, are seeing and hearing the evidence confirming that this is a tired government, and one that no longer listens to the people of our Islands, and one that is greatly out of touch.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier’s speech on June 29, 2001- he stated, from his Peoples’ Term document…. On pg; 14-Digitalization & E- Governance:

_ Mr. Speaker-we are hearing they have a plan for the telecommunications to get the loan from NIB to fund the Installation of the fiber optic connectivity for the country – How in the Hello, can the regulator be the Installer, the contractor??? Don’t you see the conflicts with this?

They call that a strategy, I called it failing our people

• Speaker do you have your electronic card? Does anyone in this room have one?
• Maybe it is only the members of the Cabinet got them.

According to the speeches made, during this year’s Budget debate, by the Hon, Premier, The Minister of Finance, The Minister of Infrastructure, and the Minister of Education, all alluded to the fact that there is more than enough money for the maintenance of the schools, and that they All came for this work;

But Mr. Speaker, just last week it was revealed publicly that this government cannot even implement effective oversite of the Yearly school summer repairs.

Neglecting to take advice from our qualified and experienced staff of the public works department which would ensure that all works were completed on time and on budget.

Now incredibly the government admitted through the confession of the Minister of PPID, that it no member of the Executive is doing any oversite of these works.

Mr. Speaker does that sounds like a Good, Good Government to anyone, does that sound like a government who comes for this work to you or anyone?

I can’t help but shake my head at the sheer irresponsibility and neglect of duty.

Mr. Speaker the list can go on and on, but I will use one more example….

Mr. Speaker where are the concerns for our children, instead this government cannot undo the mess that has already been created by them , and as a result, it will be our children and our children’s children who will pay for the price

Mr. Speaker, this government has no clear vision for the future of the TCI. This Government will soon deliver its 4th budget.

An effective and responsible government should focus on adding certainty to the budget process…. Mr. Speaker check out how many accounts are already spent, how many payments going into funds exception, and how many virements must now be made.

Mr. Speaker when we told them that the amount for the Minister’s international travel was grossly under budget, the Minister of PPID said that he and his Cabinet colleagues would not be doing much international travel, and instead, they would focus on traveling from the Island to Island-

Government defense for inaccurate budget predictions has always been -well it’s the cost of living, the oil prices, or the supply chain, or the War in Ukraine-

Mr. Speaker, we have a government that takes the public for fools by pretending to fix a road by putting some sand on it- check out the condition of that road after the heavy rains yesterday – they want our people that putting sand on a road is the same as putting asphalt on a road.

Mr. Speaker – our people are not fools- and we heard you on the tractor Mr. Premier, -shouting “We come for this work, we come for this work!”  No, No, No Mr. Premier

Mr. Speaker, you know that sometimes I am sympathetic to the Hon. Premier because sometimes I think he tries to do something for our people- But Time has moved on, and what was good yesterday – ain’t no good at all today.

So either you become a new vessel, so that new wine (new ideas, new ways of tackling the issues) can be poured into the old wine jar, or your day of leading our people is over, and it will never come back to you again.

I want to know all in here know- quoting the cartoon character, but with a real-life message, – Mufasa – “But a king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with a new king”

Mr. Speaker, we all should keep this in mind-

Mr. Speaker, A smart visionary government would have consulted with our people and set out a new approach for the economy, an approach based on stronger partnerships between government and business, a partnership dedicated to the growth and development of our people.

Real leadership in government should include being collaborative and open to suggestions on how to better manage our physical realities.

A strategic government would understand that windfall Revenue should be projected for one-time spending while accounting for stable recurrent revenues for long-term planning and spending commitments.

It is a simple solution with some legitimacy to the Budgeting process.

A solution that would result in actual effective fiscal management.

Mr. Speaker governments like to claim that it is addressing the critical shortage of skilled workers, and we heard that today, that is facing our country. Yet in just 3 short years the Hotel and Tourist industry would be in desperate need for …….. workers, as new hotels and expansions come onto stream.

It is estimated that the Government will need some 300…. To fill vacancies and replace those going into retirement.

Yet the government has done little to prepare our workforce to meet those demands. In fact instead of working with college graduates and apprenticeship programs and obtaining journeyperson certification-

We are still hearing of qualifications not being recognized in our country. Just two days ago I had a visit in my office from a very concerned citizen -expressing their disdain for two young persons with teacher certifications being refused placement by the Government.

And repeatedly, Mr. Speaker, we hear that trained Turks and Caicos Islanders are not being prioritized on resource-based jobs in their own communities.

Mr. Speaker I touching Jobs I have to go back to scholarships for a minute…..Last year I sat in this house and heard this PNP government claimed that they had the best scholarship and training program in the history of our country.

Yet today, there are post-secondary students across the country, wondering if they will be able to further their education in their field of choice, wondering if their appeal would be heard for the granting of a scholarship or grant.

These students are the workforce that we desperately need now and definitely in the next 3 years.

They will be significant in driving the economy. They are the ones who will be funding NIB, they are the ones will be funding NHIP, they are the skilled workers needed to attract future business to our islands, and that will greatly assist in driving the potential for economic development.

Mr. Speaker’s secondary and tertiary students also have the potential to influence population growth and reverse population decline.

Mr. Speaker in the last two years, a large number of our people have migrated to the UK for a chance at a better life, for a chance to go to school on their own after not receiving NO assistance from government, a chance to seek better medical care for them or a family member.

Mr. Speaker statistics show that we are seeing more deaths than births among our people. Hence Mr. Speaker I ask the House – what plan does the government have to reverse that trend? You guessed it right – No plan- (I know that’s what you’ll were thinking- I know you can’t say it – but we know)

It isn’t the population growth strategy that has yet to produce any results- It is this Government.

My people, I want you to understand that our country has a government whose time has passed, a Cabinet out of ideas and out of energy, led by a Premier who is entirely out of touch.

We should have a sustainable economic plan that will grow wealth for our people based on sound investments. Instead, this government is intent on mere self-promotion. Eg: XMAS Parties and the Reception tomorrow- how that money could have been used-

For every dollar spent on Government propaganda – there is one less dollar for health Care, for Treatment Abroad, for Scholarships, for Youth organizations, for rehabilitation, for crime fighting, and for all the things that our people need to succeed.

Mr. Speaker this government is having party after party, reception after reception- When NHIP has no money to give their patients while going on treatment abroad,

-When Students are crying and begging for scholarships

I won’t be attending the Party tonight – not when our patients and our students are crying out to the government…….

There is an old saying that says “Self-praise is no praise at all”

What is the point of a Throne Speech of the strategic plan for the government if there is no strategic action?

Mr. Speaker after 2 years of having access to more money than any other government in our history they have broken the bank and left many departments and programs not able to make ends meet, and out of basic supplies— come on Mr. Speaker- You or somebody needs to talk to them.

But Mr. Speaker, poor planning has been a hallmark of this government. It appears that it is only getting worse.

• Speaker, when you accept those scenarios, it tells me that this government has lost its way

And this brings me of cause to the infamous: DMO. I guess you have heard from today’s Throne Speech the government has an awakening of some sort….. Two years have passed since this was first mentioned in this Hon. House, and since then we had Honorable members opposite so zealously defend their belief that is the best way to ensure the protection and survival of our Tourist Industry.

The Country has recently won another prestigious Tourism Award- All from the work of the former Tourist Board which you dismantled and closed down.

This government has a history of ignoring the will of the people.

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you and all listening; that they see me coming. They aren’t happy about what I am saying. They have been very happy with this current PNP Government because they know that they can do whatever they like for our people and our country.

With a PDM government that I Lead,

They know that they have to respect our people,

They know that they have to respect our country.

They know that I am coming to renegotiate the bad deals

They know that I am coming to repeal the bad deals.

They know that I am coming to replace the deal

With a PDM government that I Lead;

We’re going to get our institutions back,

We’re going to get our Land back,

We’re going to get our country back,

We’re going to get our people back, and we’re going to get it fast.

Now Mr. Speaker the impact of the decisions being made by this government extends far beyond public confidence. The lack of transparency and accountability is also influencing how business views the government.

Confidence and trust in government are vital to encouraging growth and sustaining private prosperity into the future.

This government seems unaware of the fiscal realities of our islands and it appears oblivious to the possibility of long-term projections.

How can the government manage our financial future when they can’t keep track of their own numbers? And the Premier can’t keep track of his own Members?

Yet the fact that there is no longer any confidence in the government to manage our physical bottom line, this government has failed to diversify the economy.

Local businesses, micro, small, and medium-sized, have been left to fend for themselves, with many more fees and charges being placed on them. Some of these local businesses have been the only ones pumping economic activity in our family Islands outside of Providenciales, however, they have been abandoned by this government.

Not only are they not investing in the family islands, but they are also removing any potential growth in these islands.

And just before the new financial year began, we learned that this government has failed to deliver on programs and services it had committed to in last year’s budget.

In fact, they realized savings of millions of dollars because their government did not get the money out the door to invest in the promised infrastructure programs and services.

Nothing has been spent on the infrastructure improvement (called something else these days) in Grand Turk.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that this government has forgotten or maybe ignored the first and most important principle of government – that is to serve the people

It is that principle that guides the current opposition, and future government, and there are better ways of running our country.

In the months ahead my team and I will continue to share our vision and plans, as we invite input into those plans.

We will listen to our people. And everything we do will be predicated on one of our core principles on this side of the House,

And one that I personally hold to the highest possible regard, and which I expect will define our government, should we have the honor and privilege to be chosen to Lead. It is this

People matter

What they care about matters

How they feel about things matter

What inspires and disappoints them matter

What they believe matters

And their vision for their own community’s matter

This government has worked very hard to move away from our people. A PDM government that I would lead will bring our people close again. And that’s the way it should be in a democracy. We will move forward as one People.

We need to draw on the ideas of our people, we want their input, and we need to give them the opportunity to share their views with those who are elected to serve them.

Now we know that there are challenges ahead, but since when has TCI been afraid of facing challenges – We have been facing them for over 500 years.  And more recently in 2017 and 2020

A PDM government that I lead would rise to the moment where this government has badly failed.

A PDM government that I lead would tackle the immigration crises head-on, and not hide behind the curtains when addressing crime.

A PDM government that I lead would tackle health care and the funding of Health Services, ensuring that the necessary staff and facilities are in place for disease prevention, treatment, and cure.

A PDM government that I lead will ensure that all our people who are serious about furthering their education, obtaining a new skill, or enhancing an old one, will get a scholarship to pursue that dream, in any subject area that can be beneficial to the country both now and in the future.

A PDM government that I lead will be the best possible internet connectivity for all our Islands of the Turks and Caicos -providing high-speed internet connection for work, education, sharing content, and entertainment.

A PDM government that I lead would ensure that civil servants’ salaries are on the same level of remuneration as the government statuary Bodies, providing a level playing field, making a government job the most sought-after job in the country

A PDM government that I lead would improve public services so they deliver for people paying for them.

A PDM government that I lead would have a strategy, with a road map, to grow the additional industries of the future- in particular, the fishing industry – with the government providing the initial investment that brings confidence and security

A PDM government that I lead would have a plan to revive our historic town districts with new businesses, on all our Islands- providing sufficient finance for a new generation of locally owned startups in our Islands’ centers.

Mr. Speaker, We will be your government of the moment with the ideas that meet the aspirations of our people.

It is always better when we face challenges together, and when we face them as a united people. We need to get back that spirit of Unity, and under our government, any government that I would lead – you will.

Not only is that the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. That’s how we develop a better economy for all, that’s how we develop creative solutions for all our islands and communities.

We talk about harnessing our Islands’ natural beauty to further enhance our economy, but Mr. Speaker, our greatest resource is our people.

It is you out there listening, and watching, it is you here in this House.

So, any government that I lead will build on that resource, our people. Together we can accomplish anything and together we can face all challenges.

I believe we all could accomplish more under the right plan and under the right leadership for the Time….

You only have to reach out, instead of not being like this PNP government that Shut Out

In wrapping up Mr. Speaker, I want to let this government know In today’s world of social media and instant communication, there is no excuse for not including the people in the process of government.

But an elected government must want to do it, and they must be ready to do it.

Because in today’s world – if you don’t listen, you can’t lead.

The PDM has been listening, we will continue to listen, Mr. Speaker and we will lead.

We will lead country-wide conversations on a host of other issues affecting, and impacting, our people, on Business creation strategies in our family islands, and a plan for youth employment.

We have developed a workable plan for improving and maintaining our infrastructure.

We need to look at all alternative energy resources. Our energy plan should reflect changes in our energy needs, and address energy security reliability and conservation.

We have been working on a plan for Food security, which also has the road map for achieving it completed.

All of this is key to building a smart economy for the next generation,

We can do this together -I can tell you that is not a slogan, that is a commitment from the PDM that I now have the pleasure of leading.

Mr. Speake today through the Speech from the throne has given to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands a lot to think about.

They will again seek answers from a government that has failed to provide any for almost 3 years

The people of our country do want hope; they want a government that they can put their trust in.

A government that puts people at the core of its policies.

Mr Speaker we haven’t seen any of this in the PNP Government, and unfortunately we have not heard any of this in today’s speech from the throne.

Mr. Speaker, We as politicians can either be used as a tool for liberation, or as a tool being used to keep you on the plantation; Choose this day whom you will serve- I choose the freedom of my people.

I make this commitment to my people- that for you;

I will be the watchman on the wall.

I will have those EYES that see what is not yet in view.

I will have EARS that hear what is not yet spoken.

I want to be one of those who transform society, I want to be someone who awakens a new politics, a new system. I want to transform my country the Turks and Caicos Islands, so that it is an example to the world.

Therefore, I am pushing myself towards service, and my greatest service is to fulfill the dreams of our People.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Thank you My people of the Turks and Caicos Islands