Government
Progress, Praise, Proving – Premier says there is more to come
#TurksandCaicos, December 29, 2023 – He set a tone for a message of Progress, Praise and Proving; C. Washington Misick, the Turks and Caicos Islands Premier in his New Year’s Day address distinctively itemised his highs, his lows and his wish list in a reflective goodbye to the year 2023 and an optimistic salute to 2024.
“It is a time to retrospect – to measure performance, course correct, to adjust plans in light of emerging circumstances, to make fresh plans, and to set new targets. In so doing, I dedicate anew my efforts through God’s help, to the collective dreams and aspirations of us all,” said the seasoned politician who is approaching the close of two years in office as Premier.
For his PNP Administration, the year ended in dramatic fashion. A string of headlining and status quo shattering moves included an $18 Million dollar pay raise for the public sector; everyone employed by the government learned that with immediate effect their take home pay would be 10 percent more and public school educators getting as high as a 57 percent boost in salaries. Add to this was the increases to pensions and a solemn promise to support senior citizens with living expenses; a promise which in his NYD Address now comes with an implementation date.
“My government has uplifted the pension of public servants employed by TCIG before 1992, recognising that value was eroded by inflation.
My government has also announced the launch of a financial assistance program for needy seniors over seventy (70) years old. This is expected to take effect in April 2024.”
Early in his New Year’s Day message, the premier tackled the issue of what he said he hopes will be meaningful engagement with the private sector on also improving wages, acknowledging the fervent cries of residents who say even the trickle down seems to be plugged up.
“My government will use moral suasion to encourage the private sector to move towards a better and more equitable pay system for certain categories of workers.
Bearing in mind our achievements, I am humbled by the patience and forbearance of those who have not yet fully felt the benefits of this buoyant economy. I want to assure you that this government has your best interests at heart and is working assiduously to ensure that your needs are met and that opportunities are in place for you to survive and thrive, right here in the TCI.”
And for Washington Misick, the economy is healthy. So is investor interest. His prognosis is that there is more to come for the islands which have rebounded exceptionally after a dismal collapse of its leading industry amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic.
“I am especially grateful because: Our economy is strong. Our critical tourist industry continues to grow and outperform many of our competitors. Investor interest has never been better, and the pipeline of new development projects has never been deeper, better resourced, or of a higher quality. Although not enough, more and more Turks and Caicos Islanders are entering the Tourism Industry, aided by targeted concessions including stamp duty rebates, duty exemptions, and MSME grants. Critically, the category of businesses qualifying for grant funding has expanded; and assistance has been rolling out at an increased pace by Invest TCI. You would be pleased to know that additional funding is being made available. Agricultural grants and relief have been made available to qualified farmers; and The fishing industry is targeted for special funding assistance.”
Identifying shortcomings seemed important to the premier in this message; there were new promises on old issues, he and his team had vowed to remedy through their PNP Citizens’ Contract.
“…my government will work to accelerate the delivery of yet unrealised promises in the Citizen’s Contract; many of which are at various stages in the pipeline. Additionally, in light of changing circumstances, there will be a reprioritising of government’s objectives which may result in swapping some projects for others that may be more critical.
My government will focus particularly on housing, the environment, community renewal, operationalising the credit union, agriculture, and fisheries, MSME with linkages to tourism, road and infrastructure improvements, and government office accommodations etc.
Step by step and block by block we are committed to building a stronger safer country.”
Frustrations and hurts about crime were once again laid bare.
“…we are deeply concerned and feel the pulse of the nation when it comes to the recent uptick in violent crimes and gun-related incidences. The communities of the Turks and Caicos can remember a time when petty crimes such as disorderly conduct, public intoxication, vandalism, and theft made up the bulk of the matters to be policed and handled by the court. As a former police officer, I have genuine empathy towards the Police, and officers working in areas such as Border Services. The varied issues and challenges that they are confronted with daily are cause for alarm.
Many factors make a country a good place to live. Safety, law, and order rank high on any quality-of-life index.
My government will continue to resource the Police Force and other complementary agencies and will encourage partnerships with public safety personnel. We call on residents to be vigilant, prepared, and organised as we tackle crime together. We strive for a country that is safe and affords a high-quality of life and prosperity for all.”
There was optimism and a pep talk for citizens who may be tempted to give in to apathy; the Premier having already cited that inward investments were near $800 million.
“There is so much to do! be and become in the TCI for those who would seize the opportunities that my government is creating. Your role is to position yourself for the ongoing shift in economic opportunities.
I implore us in 2024 to think big, even if we have to start small. This is the best time to awaken our entrepreneurial spirit – to be ambitious and to take risks.
This is as good a time as ever to strive for excellence and if excellence is further away from our reach, it is enough to strive for continuous improvement. This is as good a time as ever to upskill, to take on a new hobby and to monetise it. This is as good a time as ever to find a niche and to consistently work it into a successful venture.”
Having already touted the opportunities established by his government since February 2021, Misick reiterated his method of management, as outlined when elected in an historic landslide victory 34 months ago.
“I did not promise you a smooth ride or harmony all the time, but I promised you an environment where creative friction will be stimulated, and where there will be progress.
Today, I reiterate the promises to listen, to be empathetic, to be supportive, transparent, and accountable.
I promise that every decision made in Cabinet and every decision made in the House of Assembly that affects every one of us will be for the greater good of the TCI. To all residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I say thank you, for
your commitment to the growth and development of this country and encourage you to become a part of the change you want to see.”
The Premier thanked the team, he said helped him to check his important boxes and called on his now, better paid Public Sector to deliver higher standards of customer service.
“My government promised to put the “service” back into “public service;” and on this, we have not made the strides that we had hoped, but the commitment remains, and significant progress is now being made to deliver.
More investment has and will continue to be made in reorganising public service management, providing the strategic tools and manpower to measure performance and speed up service delivery. Critical to demanding more from public servants was the need to improve their working conditions and remuneration.
My government has now put in place a compensation package for public servants that recognises the skills required and the weight of responsibilities of the differing roles and is moving rapidly to improve the working environment of staff.”
The Premier, who also delivered his thoughts and hopes in a video format which is posted at his Facebook Page, explained that he, his Ministers and Members are focused on creating not only a better life, but better living for Turks and Caicos residents and visitors.
“My government is committed to three principles of justice – equity, equality, and need; and is walking the talk and delivering for its people’s social development. You can see all the intervention made, whether it be in education, healthcare, social assistance, housing, childcare, or assistance for the elderly and the infirmed,” adding in his conclusion that, “I promise that every decision made in Cabinet and every decision made in the House of Assembly that affects every one of us will be for the greater good of the TCI. To all residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I say thank you, for your commitment to the growth and development of this country and encourage you to become a part of the change you want to see.”
Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.
With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.
Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.
Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced
the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.
She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.
Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.
Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”
In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.
As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.
Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Holland as the new Public Service Information Officer within the Office of the Deputy Governor.
Ms. Holland holds an Associate Degree in Business from Turks and Caicos Community College, a Creative Suite Certificate in Website Development from StackSkills, and an Administrative Professional Certification from the College of Administrative Professionals. She has also engaged in continuous learning through Coursera.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Holland has accumulated valuable experience in various roles. She began her journey as a Clerical Officer
at the Ministry of Education from June 2007 to May 2009 and was promoted to Secretary to the CEO from December 2009 to April 2010. Subsequently, she served as the Assistant to the Director of Sales, Marketing & Rentals at Apes Hill Club in Barbados from May 2011 to July 2014. Ms. Holland then took on the role of Office Assistant at Growing Soul Records in Miami, FL, from August 2014 to October 2015, followed by another position as an Office Assistant at Arrow Electronics in Denver, CO, from November 2015 to June 2018.
In June 2018, she became a Multimedia Specialist at Shop Genesis and later transitioned to the role of Creative Director at Black Sage Analytics from September 2020 to 2022. More recently, she served as an Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Health and Human Services from December 2022 to March 2023, before moving to the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services as an Administrative Officer from March 2023 to August 2025. She acted as the Communications Officer for Border Force in September 2023.
Upon her appointment, Ms. Holland shared her enthusiasm, stating, “My journey from capturing moments through lifestyle photography to creating designs that honor the vibrance of Caribbean culture has been shaped by both creativity and faith. Stepping into the role of Public Service Information Officer is a privilege and an exciting opportunity to unite my love for storytelling with service. Guided by Proverbs 3:5-6, I trust God to continue directing my path and using my gifts for a greater purpose”.
Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, congratulated Ms. Holland, stating, “We are delighted to congratulate Ms. Melissa Holland on her appointment as Public Service Information Officer and to welcome her to our team in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
In this important role, Ms. Holland will be responsible for the accurate and timely dissemination of both internal and external communications related to the operations of the public service, including circulars, notices, appointment announcements and other official updates.
We are confident that Ms. Holland’s diverse background and professional expertise will be invaluable in fulfilling these responsibilities and we look forward to the meaningful contributions she will undoubtedly bring to the team.
Congratulations, Ms. Holland, on your new appointment!”
