Government
TCI Premier sets date; Voters will decide on FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, December 18, 2024 – The upcoming general election in February will mark the fourth time in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ history that voters head to the polls during this month. This recurring pattern highlights February as a significant period in the nation’s political timeline as no other month can be crowned with this title.
It is often said, political leaders with the prerogative to set their own election dates opt to choose one that holds some positive historical significance. February 7 has its fair share of iconic moments including the day in 1992 when the treaty to establish the European Union was
signed or the day in 1974 that Grenada gained independence.
More pointedly for the Progressive National Party however, may be the fact that February is the month which has given the PNP two landslide victories at the polls. In 2007 when Michael Misick was party leader, securing 13 of 15 seats and in 2021 when older brother, a former chief minister and current TCI premier, Washington Misick won 14 of 15 seats.
These facts might account for the Premier’s confidence when on Tuesday December 17, he announced the date for the dissolution of the House of Assembly, the date for candidates to officially nominate and the date for a next TCI General Election.
“I have advised the governor, Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel Selveratnam to dissolve the House of assembly with immediate effect. Nomination Day will be held on January 14, 2025 and election day is on Friday February 7, 2025,” he said in the announcement carried live from Progress House, the party’s headquarters in Providenciales.
Some had anticipated the announcement which came at near midnight. It was a peculiar close to a day which had its share of dramatic and traumatic moments including hundreds of residents being without electricity due to an all day rainstorm and another senseless murder; a 31-year old grocery store employee became the TCI’s 47th homicide during a daytime armed robbery.
Still the premier and leader of the Progressive National Party remained resolute about all of the reasons voters should re-elect the PNP.
“The members of the House of Assembly, including the Cabinet team have worked every single day to deliver for you. We have turned the country around and the Turks and Caicos is now on the right track. This term has been turning safeguarding the welfare of the people, while we worked to fix the economy and to build new infrastructure, we took care of the people. We have given millions in stimulus and cost of living support to Turks and Caicos Islanders,” explained the PNP Leader.
He highlighted higher salaries and pensions for Civil Servants; a minimum wage increase; easier pathways to owning land; and better social security for the elderly.
However, for some watching, the message waxed cold. At his own press conference, Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement, Edwin
Astwood welcomed the announcement of a General Election.
“The future is in your hands, my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, the moment has arrived, the election date has been announced and now we stand at the crossroad,” said Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, at the PDM headquarters on Wednesday December 18.
“For far too long our people have been crying out for relief, for opportunity, for leadership that truly listens and acts. Today the PDM comes before you with a message of hope, change and a bold commitment to take our future forward. Prosperity for all. We know the pain of our people. We know that families have been crushed on the weight of skyrocketing cost of living, bills piling up, groceries are harder to afford.”
Astwood pointed to crime and violence, loss of young men to criminality, youth being robbed of opportunities and the “crumbling” health care system as failures of the PNP Government administration.
It is expected that political campaigns will heat up in earnest following the holiday season. Around 10,000 voters will decide the party and candidates with the message that moves them most. This time, there will be some differences including the introduction of an electronic voting system, the addition of five candidates to the all island or at large category and knowing whomever you decide is best to take office, will now serve a tenure that lasts five years instead of four.
Turks and Caicos, January 20, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 41st meeting of Cabinet held on December 11th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood acting as Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Considered proposals related to the 2022 Crown Land Review Report.
- Approved the mutation of parcels 60603/57, 60610/316, 60700/107, and 20313/47, 58 & 59 and for the same to be vested with the
TCI Airports Authority. - Received a presentation on proposals on the integration of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies into programs at the Turks and Caicos Community College.
- Approved the management authority of parcel 60503/315 to the Turks & Caicos Islands Sports Commission for multi-purpose use for the development of a community park and recreational facility.
- Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission on the establishment of a National Sports Training Centre.
- Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission regarding the establishment of a Department of Parks and Recreation.
- Received a presentation from the Ministry of Health on matters relating to the National Health Insurance Board.
- Approved the re-appointment of Mrs. Angela Musgrove as the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos for a three-year term.
- Approved the appointment of Mr. Henry Wilson as a member to the Fisheries Advisory Committee.
- Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:
- PN 005690, TR 24/09, Upgrading Bight Park
- PN 005729, TR 24/23, Vehicles for Immigration
- PN 005730, TR 24/08, DDME Communication Equipment – Mobile Antenna
- PN 005765, TR 24/31, Redevelopment of Regatta Village
- TCINIB 01/2024, TR 24/26, Vehicles for NIB
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 40th meeting of Cabinet held on December 4th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present, with the exception of Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood, acting as Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Approved the Turks and Caicos Islands Fiscal Strategic Policy Statement.
- Approved the negotiation of a Development Agreement/Order with Retreat Development Ltd.
- Approved the transfer of excess revenue from the Consolidated Fund into the National Wealth Fund for the Financial Year Ending 31 March 2024.
- Approved Planning Application PR 17673 for a proposed watch tower and rest station on block and parcel 60000/345 for the TCI Regiment.
- Approved the negotiation of a license agreement with the Proprietors of Balfour Salt Ltd. for a period of 10 years.
- Approved the policy document for the use of Biometrics and Introducing an Electronic Travel Authority Requirement.
- Approved the appointment of Mr. Lynden Hall Snr. as a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission Board for a period of two years.
- Approved the write-off of water charges and penalties in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Kingston, Jamaica, January 18, 2025 – Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all Jamaicans have access to affordable housing solutions.
He noted that there is an imbalance between housing supply and affordability, with many qualified individuals struggling to find solutions within their income bracket.
“The issue is not the finance; it’s that people who qualify can’t get the houses that are available on the market,” he pointed out, while addressing a recent meeting with the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast Committee at the Office of the Prime Minister.
He explained that the market is producing homes primarily for those with higher income, leaving a gap for low and middle-income families.
In addition, he noted that houses priced at $12 million are often sold for $18 million due to market demand dynamics.
“What we want to do is to get the market to produce houses in all categories,” he said, stressing the need for affordable options alongside high-end developments.
“We need developers who can build houses at scale to bring down costs and make housing more affordable,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister noted the role of the National Housing Trust (NHT) in financing low-income and achievable housing projects.
“We’re doing everything to create what is called effective demand,” he said, noting that the Guaranteed Purchase Programme was introduced as a strategic measure to mitigate market risks for developers.
“We say to developers; you build the houses, we buy them at a specific price and then we sell them at an affordable price,” he detailed.
This approach aims to encourage developers to construct homes without fearing financial losses.
“Government can’t build houses; what we can do is use resources to finance affordable housing and say, ‘you can only get this finance if you sell at this price’,” he pointed out.
The Prime Minister cited other initiatives aimed at making housing more affordable, including reducing the interest rates on mortgages, with some low-income borrowers benefiting from a zero per cent interest rate.
Efforts are under way to deliver 43,000 houses over the next few years as part of a broader strategy to meet housing demands.
CONTACT: ANDREW LAIDLEY
Release: JIS
-
Crime2 days agoFrom TCI Police, a DOUBLE HOMICIDE:
-
Bahamas News1 week agoBahamas Prime Minister banking on 50% Food Tax reduction, Affordable Housing and Clean Energy to drive down Cost of Living
-
Bahamas News2 days agoFreeport Health Campus development, progressing steadily
-
Government1 week agoCabinet update on Cyber Security Breach, MONDAY, 30 DECEMBER 2024
-
Caribbean News1 week agoU.S. Virgin Islands Sets New Tourism Record in 2024, Welcoming Unprecedented Visitor Numbers
-
TCI News1 week agoNOMINATION DAY FOR TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS GENERAL ELECTIONS 2025
-
Caribbean News1 week agoCARPHA and TEPHINET Sign MoU to Increase Technical Skills of Public Health Professionals in the Caribbean
-
TCI News4 days agoTURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT (TCIG) – SPACEX INCIDENT PUBLIC ADVISORY