News
Release on National Security By Honorable Oswald O Skippings
Turks and Caicos, September 20, 2024 – It still befuddles me that former British Government’s national security administrators such as the governors and police commissioners, were so eager and comfortable to dismantle the national security institutions that were in place instead of increasing and improving them.
They blatantly engaged in negative, destructive actions such as closing down police stations throughout the islands, getting rid of the police Air Wing that did aerial surveillance, getting rid of the Marine Branch in the nations Capital, not replacing land vehicles and sea vessels, not providing the necessary increase in police manpower, not properly equipping the police, and the list goes on.
It is also disturbing that elected officials were too complacent and apathetic as they sat idly by seemingly unconcerned and quiet while
They also fall short of putting in place security measures that are in their remit as government, including immigration policies and measures that would effectively contribute to solving this egregious crime problem and save lives.
Consequently, we as a nation are suffering from a violent crime pandemic that is eliminating our young men in particular. Brutal murders in broad daylight have become the order of the day and no one is safe any longer.
We have already experienced 31 (up to Sunday September 15) murders for the year, the latest one being last night. The lives of both residents and visitors are now constantly threatened. Families are grieving, children are being left fatherless, wives are being left without husbands, our indigenous franchise is being systematically diminished, our tourist industry which is our economic lifeline is being seriously threatened, and fear has taken hold of our people.
Effective law and order and national security is seemingly a thing of the past in the Turks and Caicos.
While His Majesty’s government that is constitutionally responsible for law, order and national security has the resources that are necessary to effectively combat this egregious crime pandemic, they refuse to come to our rescue and our elected officials are seemingly lacking the vision and the enthusiastic drive also to effectively deal with this serious matter.
My sincerest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the grieving families, may Jehovah give you the comfort, solace and strength to endure and overcome your grief and sorrow.
However, sympathies are no solution, nor do they bring peace of mind or safety, or even the feeling of safety to our people.
Let us not forget that faith without works is dead. So my people, coupled with our prayer and fasting that the church is required to do, you the populace, you the voters, are about to be challenged once again at the polls.
Be mindful that you have the responsibility to vote wisely in this upcoming election to not only save what is left of our country, but to save the precious lives of our people, especially our young men who are the seed of our future generations.
SELAH!