NJS Francis Building Reopens as House of Assembly Returns to Grand Turk Islands Capital After Hurricane Damage

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

The NJS Francis Building which houses members of the House of Assembly in the nation’s capital of Grand Turk Islands (TCI), is once again a shining beacon to Islanders and visitors, made possible after significant renovations.

After the new TCI Constitution came into effect, the name of the House of Representatives was changed from Legislative Council to House of Assembly, and the institution named in honour of the late for Chief Minister, NJS Francis, in 2005.

After five years of closure due to dame done during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, members returned to island’s centre of law-making, and Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, while delivering the proclamation  at the ceremonial event, said that on “this auspicious occasion I am filled with a sense of pride, duty, hope and determination,” she said.

When members had to vacate the Assembly, meetings were held at the Helena Jones Robinson High School’s auditorium. The Acting Governor said persons from all over the island were “proud of our resilience and our ability to navigate various challenges through our history, including natural disasters, economic shocks, and the recent global pandemic,” she stated.

Premier, the Honourable Charles Washington Misick moved the motion for the resumption of meetings at the NJS Francis Building, while acknowledging the Acting Governor, for her attendance, and the Speaker, Honourable Gordon Burton for presiding over the sitting. The motion was seconded by Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Edwin Astwood.

Nathaniel Joseph Selver Francis, served as the Fourth Chief Minister of the TCI, from March 28, 1985, until July 25, 1986. He died in 2004.

The House of Assembly consists of 19 members, of which 15 are voted democratically. Ten of these are voted in a traditional constituency, and five are ‘all-island’ candidates, of which every voter has the option to elect. Of the remaining four members who are not elected, the Governor appoints two, and the Premier and Leader of the Opposition each appoint one.

Historically, this will change in time for the next general election, due to bi-partisan constitutional amendment, all Members of the House of Assembly in the Turks and Caicos will be elected to serve.