Public Private Partnership reclaims land in Lower Bight Road

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – In a demonstration of the collaborative effort required to stop the growth of informal settlements in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a Public Private Partnership reclamation exercise on Lower Bight Road Providenciales, resulted in a private owner regaining access to their property on August 21st, 2024.

Four structures were removed without incident during the exercise. This was the culmination of a multi-stage process which started when the landowner sought the assistance of the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) and the Planning Department. On April 10th, 2024, the Planning Department issued 41 Enforcement Notices regarding the unlawful occupation of the property. The majority of the

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structures were voluntarily dismantled, but four remained past the deadline, which resulted in their removal on Wednesday August 21st, 2024.

Two individuals who were on site at the time were allowed to remove items from the structures before work commenced.

The exercise was conducted jointly by the Planning Department, Ministry of Immigration and Border Services, the Informal Settlements Unit, The Crown Land Unit, and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The landowner, who was responsible for the costs of the heavy equipment and operator, was on site to assist during the exercise.

Strategic Lead of the ISU Justice Carlos Simons, KC, lauded the exercise, noting that collaboration among the government, private entities and citizens is critical for the management of informal settlements in the TCI.

About: The Turks and Caicos Islands Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) is a government organisation tasked with finding solutions to the growing challenges experienced within and by informal settlements across the Turks and Caicos Islands.