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Misick’s Government Plan is to Crush Crises Areas, Throne Speech reveals

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Deandrea Hamilton

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Turks and Caicos, February 26, 2025 – If it has ever brought you disappointment or frustration, then it is most likely in the crosshairs of the newly re-elected Washington Misick Administration, which in the Throne Speech on Friday February 21, said those pain points have a remedy coming over the next five years.

Specifically identified as part of an action plan were: The Howard Hamilton International Airport construction will be completed; The South Caicos, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and Salt Cay Airports will be upgraded; The Providenciales South Dock Port will be completed; a public marina to support local water sports, vendors and mariners will be constructed; the Bellfield Landing Port and Marina and the South Caicos Cedar Park & Conch Ground Marina will be upgraded and the Grand Turk Commercial Port will be redeveloped to handle cargo and cruise ships.

In addition to these air and sea port investments, the re-elected PNP Administration says it will:  Redevelop the Millennium Highway to a four-lane dual carriageway; redevelop Leeward Highway; develop a series of parallel roads to Leeward Highway to ease traffic congestion and facilitate traffic flow in emergencies; develop the “Caicos Turnpike” from Providenciales to South Caicos and install a Traffic light system in Providenciales to regulate the flow of traffic, ease congestion and improve safety.

Transportation changes are crucial to the electorate and among the leading discomforts of living in the booming economic hub of the country, Providenciales.  Often, the gusto behind delivering is stymied by bureaucracy; the PNP government appears to cut through the red tape.

“Mr. Speaker, the to do list is long, so we have to prepare ourselves to deliver the projects within budget and on time. This will require the government to: Review the procurement and planning procedures. And streamline the approvals process for major infrastructure projects, and large-scale private development. This will cut project delays and give assurances to investors who are putting millions in our economy and the public.”

Her Excellency, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam read the Throne Speech during the opening of Parliament, held under tent on the Parade Grounds in Grand Turk.

Another key issue for the Turks and Caicos public, which on Friday February 7, 2025, elected 16 of the PNP candidates to serve in the new parliament is health care.  The Throne Speech rolled out the plan for improving health services.

“Mr. Speaker, successive governments have spent hundreds of millions on healthcare, but too many problems remain. We have been in discussions with Inter Health Canada and major changes are coming.

Our goal is to build a resilient healthcare system that guarantees access and strong management, prioritises prevention, and embraces innovation.

My government will establish a National Health Services Authority (NHSA) to provide leadership, strategic financing, and management for all public health services.  Primary healthcare delivery will be strengthened with new centres, a polyclinic and a home healthcare programme for the elderly.

The National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) will be structured to minimise out-of-pocket expenses and increase funding for preventive care,” informed the Throne Speech.

Additionally, the hospital will be outfitted with more beds and an Intensive Care Unit.

To cut down the mounting housing crisis, a new arm of government is to be established.

“Mr. Speaker, an independent New Towns Taskforce will be set up to oversee the creation of economically viable communities with up to 1,000 new homes each. Honourable members, our traditional communities will not be left behind. They will be designated special development zones and given specific concessions to encourage renewal and redevelopment. Funding for home repairs will also be increased.”

There will be construction to support national security.  It is not a new initiative, but one which did not materialize in the previous term for Misick.  In the Throne Speech, the ideas for broadening police capacity are re-stated, so is defence collaboration.

“My government has sought and received help from the UK and other Caribbean nations to fortify our response and strengthen our defence posture, including intensifying our law enforcement presence, deploying additional armed officers, undertaking joint operations with regional partners and developing our maritime domain awareness.

In this Financial Year, the government will invest 49 million dollars in the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force. 75 new positions will be added, with additional support also for the TCI Regiment.”

The Throne Speech also put the PNP Government on the record about what they plan to do about quelling crime; it measures toward prevention.

“We are working to develop long-term resilience by creating a unified command structure of law enforcement agencies and joint intelligence to analyse criminality. This approach will consider the drivers and enablers of crime, enhancing our intelligence capability and underpinning unified action to tackle the root causes of crime.”

Add to the effort to circumvent criminal activities, and with the country’s murder count already at six for 2025, the tools will be enhanced.  On the list, “a high security remand centre and a dedicated marina for the Police and Regiment in Grand Turk. We are increasing marine and drone support, CCTV and wider surveillance measures.”

The Throne Speech also addressed concerns in Education, with the Youth and government efficiency.

“Mr. Speaker, the vision we have is for a technology-driven, high-performance, 24/7 government. In this term, all government services will be online, including payments, renewals and applications. By next year, the roll-out of the National ID Card system and the Digital Identification Platform allowing citizens to safely conduct transactions online will be in operation.

Crime detection and prevention will be supported using AI and Smart City Technologies.”

The full speech is published at MagneticMediaTV.com and included within e-newspaper, The Magnate, the February 25, 2025, edition of the publication.

Government

Tamica Prospere Appointed Director of Learning and Development

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tamica Prospere as the Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Mrs. Prospere holds a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (RQF Level 5), a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and an Associate Degree in Education, also from UWI. She has further enhanced her credentials with certifications and coursework in content delivery, human resource management, talent management, and training and development from esteemed institutions, including Mico University College and CIPD.

With a strong foundation in public service and education in St. Lucia, Mrs. Prospere dedicated over a decade to classroom teaching at the secondary school level, beginning in 2002. During her tenure, she educated a diverse student body across various subjects, including Mathematics, Information Technology, and Life Skills, all aimed at fostering students’ personal and social well-being. She also facilitated community adult learning programs, showcasing her enduring commitment to promoting inclusive and varied educational opportunities.

Her career in public service in the Turks and Caicos Islands began in 2014 as a teacher at Marjorie Basden High School. From 2019, she served as the Learning and Development Manager for the legacy Customs Department and later for the TCI Border Force. In this role, she made significant contributions to improvements and championed a culture of professional growth.

Mrs. Prospere has been a strong advocate for leadership development through several key programmes. She conceptualised and introduced the Leading Effectively through Accountability and Development (LEAD) programme for the management team, which has successfully run for three consecutive years, with its most recent leadership reinforcement event held in 2025. Additionally, she implemented several programmes in partnership with educational institutions, resulting in 27 Border Force officers earning continuing professional development (CPD) certifications in supervisory management from UWI and 10 managers completing the Dynamic Leadership course with the Caribbean Maritime University.

She played a pivotal role in developing operational strategic plans and frameworks for both the Customs Department and the TCI Border Force. Mrs. Prospere spearheaded the creation and delivery of professional programmes, such as the Customs Broker Certification Programme. She introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate scalable learning for aspiring Customs Brokers.

Moreover, she led the implementation of several significant projects, most notably the Regional Clearance System in the TCI and a comprehensive revamp of customs procedures at Howard Hamilton International Airport, which greatly enhanced operational efficiency. She also facilitated key engagements that strengthened partnerships with leading regional bodies, including the Caribbean Customs Legislation and Enforcement Council (CCLEC), the border security team within CARICOM IMPACS, and the customs advisory arm of CARTAC. These collaborations were instrumental in securing vital technical assistance for training.

Speaking on the appointment, Mrs. Prospere said, “I am honoured to step into this role and lead the Learning and Development Directorate. I believe that a world-class public service is built together. I’m dedicated to partnering with civil servants at all levels to foster a dynamic learning environment where we can collectively develop the skills needed to be adaptable, exceed standards, and deliver truly exceptional service to the public.”

In congratulating Mrs. Prospere, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams stated, “We are pleased to extend congratulations to Mrs. Tamica Prospere on her appointment as the new Director of the Department of Learning and Development within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

With over a decade of dedicated service in the field of training and development, Mrs. Prospere has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to building capacity and strengthening the public service workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her innovative and strategic approach to learning has transformed teams and empowered individuals, ensuring the public service is well-equipped to meet the demands of a constantly evolving landscape.

As the government continues its efforts to enhance service delivery through robust and comprehensive training initiatives, we are confident that Mrs. Prospere’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous growth across the public sector.

Congratulations Mrs. Prospere, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to working with you to shape the future of learning and development in the Public Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

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Government

Melissa Holland Appointed as Public Service Information Officer

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Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is proud to announce the appointment of Ms. Melissa Holland as the new Public Service Information Officer within the Office of the Deputy Governor.

Ms. Holland holds an Associate Degree in Business from Turks and Caicos Community College, a Creative Suite Certificate in Website Development from StackSkills, and an Administrative Professional Certification from the College of Administrative Professionals. She has also engaged in continuous learning through Coursera.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Holland has accumulated valuable experience in various roles. She began her journey as a Clerical Officer at the Ministry of Education from June 2007 to May 2009 and was promoted to Secretary to the CEO from December 2009 to April 2010. Subsequently, she served as the Assistant to the Director of Sales, Marketing & Rentals at Apes Hill Club in Barbados from May 2011 to July 2014. Ms. Holland then took on the role of Office Assistant at Growing Soul Records in Miami, FL, from August 2014 to October 2015, followed by another position as an Office Assistant at Arrow Electronics in Denver, CO, from November 2015 to June 2018.

In June 2018, she became a Multimedia Specialist at Shop Genesis and later transitioned to the role of Creative Director at Black Sage Analytics from September 2020 to 2022. More recently, she served as an Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Health and Human Services from December 2022 to March 2023, before moving to the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services as an Administrative Officer from March 2023 to August 2025. She acted as the Communications Officer for Border Force in September 2023.

Upon her appointment, Ms. Holland shared her enthusiasm, stating, “My journey from capturing moments through lifestyle photography to creating designs that honor the vibrance of Caribbean culture has been shaped by both creativity and faith. Stepping into the role of Public Service Information Officer is a privilege and an exciting opportunity to unite my love for storytelling with service. Guided by Proverbs 3:5-6, I trust God to continue directing my path and using my gifts for a greater purpose”.

Her Excellency Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, congratulated Ms. Holland, stating, “We are delighted to congratulate Ms. Melissa Holland on her appointment as Public Service Information Officer and to welcome her to our team in the Office of the Deputy Governor.

In this important role, Ms. Holland will be responsible for the accurate and timely dissemination of both internal and external communications related to the operations of the public service, including circulars, notices, appointment announcements and other official updates.

We are confident that Ms. Holland’s diverse background and professional expertise will be invaluable in fulfilling these responsibilities and we look forward to the meaningful contributions she will undoubtedly bring to the team.

Congratulations, Ms. Holland, on your new appointment!”

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    Government

    Andy Missick Appointed Juvenile Manager

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    Turks and Caicos, September 6, 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andy Missick as the Juvenile Manager within the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services in the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities.

    Mr. Missick holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Social Work from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.

    His professional experience includes serving as a Registration Officer at the Financial Services Commission for three years, a Social Worker for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government for one year and as a Probation Officer in the Department of Rehabilitation & Community Supervision from 2023 until his recent promotion.

    Sharpening his skills in the area of rehabilitation, Mr. Missick has completed professional training in the following areas: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Case Management, Risk Assessment, Intake and Interviewing Techniques, Counseling, Report Writing, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Reentry and Reintegration Planning, Community Resource Networking, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Behavior Modification, and Social Skills Training.

    Known for his contributions to Youth Leadership and Representation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and elsewhere, Mr. Missick currently serves as the Male CARICOM Youth Ambassador since 2023 and is a currently a Youth Parliamentarian having representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the 12th Annual Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand; the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting in London, United Kingdom and the Caribbean Youth Summit 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica.

    In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Missick is involved in community service and volunteerism through the Rotaract Club of Providenciales, where he has been an active member for seven years. He has held various leadership positions, including Sergeant-at-Arms, Foundation Chair, Youth Service Director, Wellness Chair, Fundraising Director, Vice President and currently serves as the President.

    Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Missick stated, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. Growing up in the Turks and Caicos, I have seen far too many young lives cut short. Some lost to violence, some to poor choices and some to the weight of circumstances they never asked for. Those experiences are etched into me and they are the reason I feel such deep gratitude and responsibility in being appointed Juvenile Manager. This is more than a role; it is a calling to stand in the gap for our youth, to remind them that they are not defined by their mistakes but by the greatness still inside of them. I believe in second chances, I believe in opportunity, and I believe that with guidance, accountability and hope, our young people can rise above their struggles and become the leaders of tomorrow.

    I anchor myself in the words of Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” True leadership is service, and in serving our youth, I serve the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This appointment is not just about today. It is about building a legacy of hope, discipline and purpose for tomorrow”.

    In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams, said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Mr. Andy Missick on his appointment as Juvenile Manager with the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services, within the Ministry of Public Safety.

    The post of Juvenile Manager is a critical role, focused on shaping the future of our islands by supporting, guiding and rehabilitating at-risk youth. The Juvenile Manager plays a key part in ensuring that young individuals are given every opportunity to grow into productive, empowered citizens who contribute meaningfully to society.

    Mr. Missick brings to this position a wealth of experience, a deep passion for youth empowerment and a proven track record of service and leadership. His longstanding commitment to the development of young people in the Turks and Caicos Islands is well known, having served with distinction as a CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Youth Parliamentarian and a dedicated member of the Rotaract. Through these platforms, he has consistently advocated for youth engagement, policy development and community service, earning the respect of peers and stakeholders alike.

    We are confident that Mr. Missick will continue to inspire and implement innovative initiatives that uplift our youth and strengthen our communities.

    Congratulations, Mr. Missick, on your well-deserved promotion. We look forward to the positive impact you will undoubtedly make in this vital role.”

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