Premier Uncorks Unique Unit aimed at Delivering, but he’s in dire need of Staff

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 5, 2023 – In a move to end the nagging issue of underperformance on Capital projects and under spending despite millions allocated to public infrastructural development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Washington Misick, the TCI’s Premier found himself last Thursday issuing a clarion call for talented and qualified residents to be part of his new, National Delivery Unit.

“It is critical that we find as many people as possible locally within our population within the Turks and Caicos before we then look overseas for those skills.” He explained The call came as Misick revealed that the country is still struggling to staff the unit as the 2024 contract end dates for the consultants currently running it approaches.

“…most of the core competencies required to run the unit have been difficult to recruit so far, these include problem-solving, numerical capacity, data analysis, etc.”

The Premier was speaking at an open day held on Thursday, September 28 to introduce the Unit and the 12 priority projects his administration is working to complete. The Premier also took care to explain that the Unit was more of an oversight body and would not be carrying out these 12 projects, directly.

“The NDU is not a project management office. It is not responsible for completion of infrastructure or the implementation of services— it exists to challenge performance and ask difficult questions. Taking any excuses off the table identifying competing priorities, unexpected situations and consistently pushing for faster progress,” he said.

It means that ministers and departments remain in charge of all projects under their remit. During the event, the premier again promised transparency and better communication.

“We want to improve implementation rates in the Turks and Caicos, and believe this is possible if we also increase communication and transparency to you; this is what I called doing business unusual,” he said.

The event was attended by high-level ministers and community representatives, but it uniquely opened the door and gave residents a grand chance to ask questions of the people responsible for some of the largest projects the country will implement this legislative season.