Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2025 – In a landmark presentation during the budget debate in the House of Assembly, E. Jay Saunders, Minister for the newly established Ministry of Innovation, Technology & Energy, unveiled a dynamic and forward-thinking blueprint to transform the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) into a 24/7 digital-first operation. With an $8.37 million budget for the fiscal year 2025/26, Minister Saunders declared the Ministry’s ambitions were not just about modernising systems but delivering real change to the lives of residents.
“Our total budget may seem modest, but I assure you, Mr. Speaker, the impact will be like $84 million,” said Saunders, emphasizing the value-for-money principle underpinning the Ministry’s operations.
Building a High-Performance Government
At the core of this transformation is a significant staff expansion. The Department of Information, Communications, and E-Government (ICE), currently operating with just nine staff members, will nearly double its workforce to 17. Key hires include a Chief Information Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, and Director of IT. The expanded team will also feature specialists like a Database Administrator, Application Support Officer, and three Junior Hardware Technicians.
Seven of these positions remain vacant, and Minister Saunders made a direct appeal to Turks and Caicos Islanders at home and abroad with IT experience to apply and contribute to nation-building.
“To support the rollout of these projects and others, we will be spending $6.6 million, including $2 million in capital expenditure,” Saunders noted. “We need our best and brightest to join us in making TCI a model of innovation.”
Departments and Projects Under One Ministry
The Ministry encompasses a range of departments and statutory bodies, including ICE, Customer & Government Information Services (CGIS), Radio Turks & Caicos (RTC), the Energy and Utilities Department (EUD), the Electrical Board, and the National ID Programme.
Leading these respective units are seasoned professionals: Mr. Andre Mills (ICE), Ms. Anika Talbot (CGIS), Mr. Christopher Jarrett (RTC), Mr. Delano Arthur (EUD), and Ms. Katarvia Taylor (National ID Programme).
Minister Saunders highlighted that this diverse framework allows the Ministry to lead a wide array of transformative projects, from energy policy to public service digitisation.
Projects to Digitize TCIG
Saunders rolled out an impressive slate of initiatives aimed at modernising government operations and services:
- AI Integration: Under the Microsoft AI Copilot Masterclass, five AI pilot projects are underway, including chatbots for gov.tc and AI
enhancements for the Border Force, Land Registry, Registrar General, and Citizenship & Naturalisation Databases. A sixth project for the Judiciary is under review.
- Digital Services: Citizens will soon be able to renew vehicle and driver’s licenses from any location using dedicated apps. A government-wide “Quick Pay” application will eliminate the need to visit Treasury offices, allowing digital payments for public services.
- E-Commerce for Government: A new Inventory Management and Storefront system will revolutionize the Central Purchasing Unit (CPU), offering a shopping experience akin to Amazon for government departments.
- Cybersecurity and Network Rebuild: Following recent cyber-attacks, the Ministry will construct a modern, secure TCIG IT network. This includes new help desk software and recovery systems to fortify government digital infrastructure.
- E-Cabinet: Cabinet operations will also be digitised, streamlining decision-making and document management.
- “Uber-style” Taxi App: In an exciting move, the Ministry plans to launch a ride-hailing app specifically for TCI taxis. “Mr. Speaker, have you ever booked a ride, or hailed a taxi, and paid for it via a smartphone app—in the Turks and Caicos Islands?” Saunders asked rhetorically. “We’re going to make that a reality.”
Public-Private Synergy and National Call
Minister Saunders took time to thank the Leader of the Opposition for his public support and confidence in the Ministry’s ability to deliver results. He framed the Ministry’s role not just as a tech enabler, but as a transformative agent to uplift service delivery and national development.
“The main task of my Ministry is to transform TCIG into a 24×7 Government, thereby helping it improve its customer service and become a High-Performance Government,” Saunders said.
His remarks were both a call to action and a declaration of intent. With initiatives rooted in automation, AI, public access, and cybersecurity, the Ministry of Innovation, Technology & Energy is set to drive one of the most significant upgrades in public sector efficiency and engagement in TCI history.
As the country stands on the cusp of this transformation, Saunders reminded the public of the changing times. “Take pictures of the lines now, Mr. Speaker,” he quipped, “because they are going to be going extinct soon.”
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