May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15 v 13

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, Residents and Visitors, I greet you with love and respect!

We give God thanks for his mercy and grace, and  we thank the Almighty for the opportunity to see another year.

As we close out 2024, we have SO MANY wins to celebrate and be proud of.

The new year brings hope and possibilities for continued progress and growth.

But, as we celebrate, we are concerned about the upsurge in crime fueled mostly by gang activity.

These despicable acts have shattered the peace and safety of our communities.

To those affected, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers. Our nation stands with you in your time of grief.

Let me be clear. We will not relent in our fight to dismantle the gangs and bring those responsible for this reign of terror to justice.

The Governor, the Acting Commissioner and I are united in this effort. Everything must be done to fight this upsurge in crime.

Additional police have been deployed on the streets to keep law abiding citizens safe, and

we are working with regional neighbours to further increase the numbers in the New Year.

This PNP government has invested heavily in national security. We have given the police all that they have asked for.

While the Governor has constitutional responsibility for security, my government will do everything that it can to protect our people.

We support the surge in resources and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Over the last three-plus years we have spent approximately 150 million dollars on national security, including the police and judiciary.

We have:

• Expanded the investigative, technical, and physical capacity of the Royal TCI police Force.
• Deployed more officers, including from the UK.
• Enacted new laws to give the police more power to investigate, stop, search, detain, and break up gang activities.
• Introduced longer jail time for those convicted of gang, drugs or gun crimes.
• Operationalized a new Gangs, Drugs and Guns Unit to fight serious crimes.
• Installed new CCTV camera systems in strategic spots.
• Deployed a new armored vehicle to help in the fight against crime.
• Established a Mobile Police Station that can move from one community to another.

The PNP government will continue to build out the infrastructure to secure our people with resources, tougher laws and penalties.

In the upcoming budget, 75 new positions will be added to the police force and we will spend on the police alone, 47.4 million dollars.

Illegal migration has been a problem for a long time. Our new Asylum Law makes it easier to deport illegal migrants and those who enter the TCI illegally will not get refuge.

It will punish those who aid and abet persons who are here illegally.

Some of our young men are at risk and vulnerable to the influences of gangs.

My administration will establish a subsidized youth service program tied to industry specific scholarships.

We hope to incentivize school leavers to gain work experience while studying or before they undertake full-time continuing education.

All of us must unite in the fight against the criminals who terrorize and destabilize our communities.

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, we came to office with a mandate from YOU to turn around the economy and put your interest first.

• We have given you 4 different stimulus and cost of living support disbursements. The latest 1-thousand-dollar cost of living relief cheques are now being paid out. We received over 15-thousand-4-hundred applications and 90 percent have been approved, and the cheques paid.
• Our people have easier pathways to own land because this PNP government is delivering Comprehensive Crown Land Reform.
• Our civil servants have higher salaries and pensions.
• We have provided social assistance to the elderly of up to 1 thousand dollars per month.
• Children who need help are generously supported.
• The minimum wage has been increased.
• Small businesses, fisheries and agricultural sectors have received solid support.
• The economy has moved from failing to fast growing.
• We are building important new infrastructure.
• We are creating an immigration system that will support the development of the TCI.
• We have made record investments in safety and security.
• These islands have seen unprecedented tourist arrivals.
• Investor confidence is at historic levels. And!
• We have piloted meaningful Constitutional reform giving us more political autonomy.

In 2025, we will continue to focus on the people’s priorities.

Housing that is safe and affordable must be accessible to our citizens. That is why establishing a mortgage corporation is so important.

This will allow those who might not have the ready cash to get a mortgage for a fixed term at reasonable rates of interest.

We will also make special provisions for our young people to own homes.

We must create an ownership society.

As tourism grows, our infrastructure, including the airports, is under strain.

We have built and fixed miles upon miles of roads across the islands.

We have plans to ease congestion on Providenciales. We will build, fix roads and drains as well as install streetlights across our islands.

Roads that will be addressed include:

• The Millennium and Leeward Highways.
• Feeder roads to ease the traffic and facilitate traffic flow in emergencies.
• The “Caicos Turnpike” from Providenciales to South Caicos.
• Repair and upgrade of interior and other roads across all islands.

Our people must have safe and cost-effective transportation solutions as they go about their daily lives including work and schools.

They cannot be left at the mercy of unregulated jitneys. The matter of public transportation will be addressed in a comprehensive way.

We have identified funding and are looking at solutions for public transportation that is regulated and safe.

Good infrastructure is the foundation of economic growth.

We are expanding and modernizing our airports and ports so that people and goods can move quickly and seamlessly.

Improvements have been carried out at all airports including Howard Hamilton International.

We are not done yet.

In the new year, the TCIAA will complete the Public/Private Partnership Agreement for redevelopment of the Howard Hamilton airport.

Tenders are now being assessed.

Airports across all the islands, including Grand Turk and North Caicos will get additional upgrades to accommodate domestic and tourist traffic, commercial and private aircraft.

Over the next five years, we will complete a modern, world class Port system at an estimated investment of 100 million dollars.

All existing ports will be integrated to facilitate a more seamless and efficient operation.

Phases one and two of the modernization of South Dock will be completed this year and the final two phases by 2027.

A modern port office building will be constructed on Grand Turk and the main dock extended to accommodate larger vessels.

We will spend 10 million dollars to modernize the South Caicos Port to support development on that island.

For a very long time, we have not been happy with the standard of care offered through the long-term Public-Private Partnership with Inter-Health Canada.

That is unacceptable.

We have been meeting with Inter-Health Canada and will provide you with an update on the way forward in the weeks ahead.

Access to consistent high-quality healthcare for our people is NOT negotiable.

We will:

• Operationalize the National Health Services Authority
• Strengthen preventative and primary health care service delivery.
• Encourage lifestyle changes to prevent non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions
• Redesign and manage the treatment abroad program to achieve better results and value for money.

In this new year, more focus will be placed on the young people of these islands. The government that I lead, wants to see you engaged in a meaningful way, in ALL aspects of national development.

We are making it easier for you to get higher education and develop skills that can give you a viable career path.

Free community college, training through the National Youth Service, apprenticeship and partnerships with the private sector are available options.

Young people not in school or gainfully employed should be enrolled in a training program.

We will create service programs that combine training, mentorship and voluntary service where appropriate.

The future of these islands rests upon your shoulders.

Take advantage of the opportunities.

This is your birthright.

You must help to build your country and be prepared to defend its success and sustainability.

With continuing geopolitical tensions and supply chain problems, some Caribbean countries are reporting a slowing down in their economy.

That is not the case with the TCI.

WE ARE DOING WELL.

Turks and Caicos remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

This has pushed significant growth in the hotel, restaurant, construction, and real estate sectors.

Government revenue has increased, giving us the room to spend more on security and social intervention measures.

The unemployment rate continues to trend down, and ​our economy has almost DOUBLED in size.

GDP has jumped from $924 million in 2020 to $1.7 BILLION in 2024.

To maintain this growth trajectory, we must be prudent in how we manage our affairs.

In 2025 and beyond, we will look at ways to create other industries that will thrive alongside tourism.

Our goal is to reduce dependence on the tourism industry, create new job opportunities and strengthen our economic resilience.

In 2025, we expect real GDP to grow by 5.8 percent and our economic performance has time and time again exceeded projections. It is boosted by good governance, guided by our ministers who reflect the best of youth and experience.

Strong economic growth has given us the fiscal space to fund new projects that will improve the lives of our people.

For Financial Year 2025/2026 total revenues are projected to be $527 million. This is a decent 10% growth over 2024/2025.

In the year ahead, we will spend more on infrastructure and other important services for the people of these islands.

For Financial Year 2025/2026, total expenditure excluding Capital is forecasted at $467.6 million.

We are also expecting operating surpluses in the next financial year and beyond.

We are not spending recklessly. We have put aside funds for a rainy day.

We have cash to buy goods and services for 281 days. This is far beyond the requirement of 90 days of cash.

These numbers tell a story of success. They show how this government has taken the Turks and Caicos Islands from economic collapse in 2021 to one of the best managed and best performing economies.

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, I am proud of the achievements of my government over the last three-plus years.

We grew the economy, supported our people and successfully navigated the challenges thrust upon us by the global economic downturn and geopolitical tensions.

We spent the largest amount of money to expand and equip the police and border force to keep you safe.

Tourism and construction are booming, and record levels of investments are taking place across these islands.

We are building the infrastructure to meet your needs and expand our economy.

I thank the Cabinet, the civil service and all who have worked tirelessly to help us navigate challenges and protect our people.

I extend my sincere gratitude to all sectors of our economy.

Most of all I extend gratitude to the people of these islands. You are the foundation of a thriving and prosperous Turks and Caicos.

Our work to give you a better life is unrelenting. You will always be our priority.

We can look forward with confidence that our best days are ahead of us.

Let us dream BIG and grasp the opportunities and new possibilities that 2025 brings.

Today, I extend my hand to each of you.

Together, let us:

• Build a thriving and sustainable future for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• Build a future where all citizens can contribute and benefit from a prosperous, fair and inclusive economy.
• Make the TCI a shining example not only in the Caribbean, but across the world.

I wish every Turks and Caicos Islander at home and abroad, Residents, and Visitors peace, prosperity, and happiness for the New Year.

Happy 2025!

May God bless you and bless our Beautiful by Nature Turks and Caicos Islands.