Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
International Airlift has been confirmed for the Norman B. Saunders Sr. International Airport in South Caicos with Grand Turk to swiftly follow. American Airlines is the airline that will herald in those flights, to come by winter this year according to Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services speaking during an April ministerial statement made after the budget address.
“The construction of the new and fortified perimeter fence line at the JAGS McCartney International Airport is now completed, with inspection by international regulators scheduled to be completed by May 2024,” Musgrove continued.
Despite the good news, for the largest airport work is still lagging. Large crowds are still slowing business down and the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the redevelopment of the Howard Hamilton/Providenciales International is behind schedule, having not yet been published; but it is in process according to Musgrove.
”The Turk and Caicos Airports Authority remains steadfast in its commitment to adaptability, responding aggressively to the evolving needs and dynamics of its operation— Thereafter the critical next step is the issuance of the Invitation to Tender, inclusive of the draft PPP Agreement. This is going to be done this year” Musgrove said.
The contract should have been wrapped up by March after the project launch in August 2023.
Also mentioned in the budget for the Ministry of Immigration, is a suite of technological upgrades, including:
Drones which are already on the way to the country;
Rummaging Tools to allow Customs and Border Protection teams to rummage/search vessels that are identified as high risk;
Digital Forensic Equipment;
Anti-fraud Technology (prompted by a rise in fraudulent documents being presented by residents and agents to various government departments).
Much of the tech is aimed at protecting the country’s ports which were very active in the 2023/24 financial year. Other than the over 1.5 million tourists there were 332 seizures of prohibited and restricted goods at the borders amounting to $315.000 in fines. In terms of irregular migration which is one of the ministry’s main concerns, Musgrove provided this update.
”For the year 2023/2024 our teams have processed, detained, and repatriated over 4,400 persons from 35 boats, compared to 2882 persons from 31 boats in FY 2023/2024, and in addition to this, some 961 persons were removed in January to March of this year alone, through inland enforcement and compliance efforts. We have recorded a total of 103 deportations.”
In the draft budget, $27 million was set aside for spending in this ministry and it is expected to be one of the best-performing ministries financially. TCIG is expecting $112.5 million in Import Duties, 21 million from excess revenues from Ports and Sea Travel taxes. and another $38 million from other Customs Duties.
