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Fresh feel for Turks & Caicos House of Assembly in return to NJS Francis Building

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2024 – Renewed and better than ever the NJS Francis building has once again been christened as the home of the House of Assembly following a March 21 reopening ceremony.

“As we gather on this auspicious occasion I am filled with a sense of pride, duty, hope and determination. Across our islands we are proud of our resilience and our ability to navigate various challenges including natural disasters,” said Anya Williams, Acting Governor as she spoke on behalf of Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor.

Williams detailed the history of the establishment  The NJS Francis building served as the home of the House of Assembly for 11 years, from 2006 when the Legislative Council was changed to the HOA until 2017 when it sustained heavy damages during Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The following year the auditorium of the HJ Robinson High School was appointed the meeting place for the House of Assembly and repairs began at the NJS Building. Those repairs have only just been completed and the members are back in the true home of the Assembly.

“I believe it is fair to say that some five years and four months later we had overstayed our welcome,” Williams said. She continued “Following significant investment it is with great pride that the  House of Assembly is now able to return to the NJS Francis building in the nation’s capital and to once again proclaim it is the official House of Assembly on the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Williams urged those in the HOA to fight for justice progress and the common good.

Washington Misick, TCI Premier, raised a motion of thanks, which was seconded by Edwin Astwood, Opposition Leader, acknowledging those who had worked to make the building renovation a reality.

Thanked were Olympic Construction, Gordon Burton, House Speaker; Tracey Parker, the HOA Clerk, the HJ Robinson High School body, the Ministry of Physical Planning and others.

“This honourable House thanks the public for their patience during the period that the House of Assembly was away,” Misick maintained.

Stressing the importance of architecture, he said:

“I have a deep sense of pride to be back in the people’s house after five years— the authority we exercise here is given to us by the people, and we must never forget it.“

The police band was on hand to add to the festivities as Members on both sides of the house expressed excitement about the reopening.

“To my colleagues whose first time it is in this chamber, take it in, take your pictures and enjoy this moment, this is an amazing moment,” said Akierra Missick, Member of Parliament for Leeward and Long Bay and chair of the Commonwealth Women’s Parliament TCI Branch.

The House of Assembly has traded the warm interior walls for a fairer shade and the decision for a brighter lighting treatment in the decor appears to let the sunshine in on the people’s business.  What has returned is the classic emerald green carpeting and wood finished furnishings.  There has been an upgrade in the utilities and as is customary, photos of previous leaders and Speakers of the House adorn the hallowed walls.

Government

Elisann Delancy Appointed Deputy Director of Education

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR

AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 18 March 2025: The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Elisann Delancy as the new Deputy Director of Education within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Ms. Delancy began her career as a Graduate Teacher at the Marjorie Basden High School, where she quickly made a significant impact on her students and the community. She progressed through various positions, including Assistant Curriculum Development Officer and Curriculum Development Officer. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in shaping local and regional literacy and numeracy programs, serving as the Turks and Caicos Islands Focal Point for the CARICOM, CDB, and OECS LET’s REAP Initiative.

Ms. Delancy holds: a Teacher’s Diploma (Honours) from Mico University College; a Bachelor of Education in Technical and Vocational Education from the University of Technology, Jamaica, and a Master of Education in Curriculum Development with Distinction from the University of the West Indies. Her award-winning research on the “Impact of Teacher Quality on Students Performance” in the Turks and Caicos Islands has garnered recognition and has been published, further demonstrating her expertise and dedication to the field of education.

In addition to her academic credentials, Ms. Delancy has honed her leadership and management skills through various professional development opportunities, including Organisational Leadership from Harvard Business School and Contemporary Project Management from UWI Cave Hill. She is also a Level 4 Caribbean Vocational Qualifications Assessor and an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Currently, she is pursuing Public Financial Management qualifications through ACCA, London, to enhance her knowledge in this critical area.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Delancy stated, “The responsibility of leadership comes with great expectations, and I embrace this calling with gratitude and humility. Luke 12:48 states, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” I am deeply grateful to God for guiding my path as I continue working to advance education for all. I did not stumble into the path of Educating; I chose this path because I recognised its power as the greatest equaliser, a force that can break cycles of disadvantage and create opportunities for all. The work ahead remains critical, and I am fully committed to working with the new Director of Education and our team at the Department of Education to build a progressive and responsive education system.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H. E. Anya Williams congratulated Ms. Delancy on her new appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to have Ms. Delancy stepping into this vital position. Her passion for education, proven leadership skills, and commitment to developing our youth will undoubtedly propel our educational system forward. We look forward to the positive impact she will have in this role.

Congratulations, Ms. Delancy, on your well-deserved promotion.”

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Government

Post Cabinet Report Renews Fisheries Applications

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Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 2nd meeting of Cabinet held on February 26th, 2025, at the Hon Hilly Ewing Building, Providenciales. All members of the Cabinet were present.  

At this meeting Cabinet:

  • Reviewed the TCIG 3rd Quarter Financial Report for FY 2024-2025 and approved its publication.
  • Reviewed the Statutory Bodies 3rd Quarter Special Purpose Financial Report for FY 2024-2025 and approved its publication.
  • Approved a Development Agreement for the Retreat Development Ltd.
  • Reviewed the National Health Insurance Board’s quarterly reports and agreed actions to address key risks.
  • Approved the appointment of Ms. Desericka Lightbourne as Secretary to the Credit Union Project Implementation Committee effective April 1, 2025.

Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:

    • PN005695, TR 24/27 Interior Design and Supply Furniture and Equipment
    • PN005811/TR 24/42 Works to Matthew Canal-Salt Cay       
  • Approved the draft variation to the Development Agreement over parcels 60900/291-325 and 327-362 to WACAL Holdings Ltd. Development.
  • Approved an amendment to the Immigration Protocol Document for the Hamilton Education Foundation Ltd.
  • Approved the following appointments to the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for a period of two years:
    • Dwayne Gardiner, Chairman
    • Gardvin Missick, Deputy Chairman
    • Godfrey Smith, Director
  • Approved settlement terms relating to a DECR matter.
  • Approved applications for Class A Processing and Export Licenses for the 2024-2025 year for Caicos Seafood Ltd.; Caicos Fisheries Ltd.; and Provo Seafood.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

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Government

Swearing-in of the 30th Canadian Ministry led by Mark Carney, New Prime Minister

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Ottawa, ON, Canada, March 14, 2025 – Today, at a ceremony presided by the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, at Rideau Hall, Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, was sworn in alongside members of the 30th Canadian Ministry.

This new, leaner, focused Cabinet includes returning ministers, seasoned leaders, and new voices who will bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the team as it delivers on the things that matter most to Canadians, such as strengthening Canada’s economy and security.

The new Cabinet is as follows:

  • Mark Carney, Prime Minister
  • Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
  • Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
  • François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance
  • Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
  • Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
  • Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
  • Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
  • Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board
  • Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant
  • Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
  • Kamal Khera, Minister of Health
  • Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
  • Rechie Valdez, Chief Government Whip
  • Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Jobs and Families
  • David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  • Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  • Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
  • Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
  • Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
  • Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
  • Arielle Kayabaga, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions
  • Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development
  • Ali Ehsassi, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

This team reflects the ambition that makes Canada strong and it will work each day to protect workers, families, and businesses. It will take action to unite Canadians, defend Canada’s sovereignty in the face of unjustified trade actions by the United States, make Canada an energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy, create new trade corridors with reliable partners, and build one Canadian economy – the strongest economy in the G7.

“This team is built for immediate action and focused on protecting Canadian workers, supporting their families, and growing this great country. We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster – and we have an experienced team that is made to meet the moment we are in. Our government is united and strong, and we are getting right to work.”

The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, is the s 24th Prime Minister of Canada.  His cabinet is the 30th Canadian Ministry and consists of a total of 23 ministers, in addition to the Prime Minister.  The Cabinet is the central decision-making forum in government, responsible for its administration and the establishment of its policy. Its members are each responsible for individual portfolios or departments.

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