Government
Williams Calls for Parliament to Reject Crest Report on Integrity Commission; Slams Expanded Governor Powers
Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Turks and Caicos, July 4, 2025 – All-Island Member of Parliament Jameka Williams is calling on the House of Assembly to reject the recently published Crest Review of the Turks and Caicos Islands Integrity Commission (IC), branding it a flawed and undemocratic attempt to expand the Governor’s control over a body already crippled by outside interference.
Speaking during a heated session of Parliament on July 1, Williams said she was “affronted” by the review process and its findings, which she claimed disregarded the voices of Turks and Caicos Islanders and dangerously recommended that the IC’s operations be shifted under the Governor’s office.
“We have the Governor exerting influence into the Commission, then turning around and declaring it unfit for office—and you gotta make that make sense,” Williams charged.
She has now urged fellow parliamentarians—across party lines—to join her in rejecting the report, stating it “flies in the face of democratic proceedings” and threatens the independence of the Commission.
“The Crest report does not fix the real problems; it amplifies them,” Williams said. “It recommends more power be handed to the very office that has compromised the Commission’s independence.”
Crest Review Calls for Structural Overhaul
The controversial report, commissioned in 2024 by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam and Integrity Commission Chair Justice Lobban Jackson, was meant to assess the IC’s effectiveness 14 years after its founding. The independent team at Crest Advisory interviewed 40 stakeholders and conducted policy comparisons with international best practices.
Their verdict: the IC is not fit for purpose. Findings included weak governance structures, an overstretched workforce, poor
public engagement, and blurring of strategic and operational roles. The Commission reportedly lacks a clear mission and suffers from inadequate staffing and legal frameworks, leading to delayed investigations and public distrust.
The review called for a complete rebuild of the IC from the ground up, with new strategies, staffing reforms, clearer role definitions, annual reporting, and enhanced data privacy protocols. However, the most controversial recommendation proposes integrating the IC more closely with the Governor’s office—an idea Williams finds deeply problematic.
MP: Report Omits Critical Local Input
Williams was particularly incensed that only 17 of the 40 interviews conducted by Crest were with individuals inside the IC, and she believes concerns raised by local parliamentarians about the Governor’s interference were “conveniently” left out.
“That is not a cross-section of Turks and Caicos Islanders. It is obvious that the Crest team only published opinions aligned with a predetermined outcome,” she said.
She further rebuked the report’s failure to acknowledge the historical influence of the Governor’s office in compromising the IC’s autonomy, calling it “one of the most significant reasons for the Commission’s decline.”
“When the Commission no longer directs the activities carried out in its name, we no longer have an independent institution—we have a compromised one,” she warned.
Though the review has been endorsed by the Governor and the IC’s Chair, Williams’ resistance introduces a growing political challenge. And she is not alone. Her remarks during the Private Members’ motion were met with thunderous desk raps from fellow parliamentarians, signalling wide support across the aisle. Hon Williams has ignited a clear, bipartisan call for reclaiming the Commission’s independence and reasserting the voice of the people.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 10th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Odessa Forbes as the Director of Culture within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mrs. Forbes holds a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the American Intercontinental University, FL, a certificate in Business from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and a certificate in Project Management through the University of the West Indies.
Bringing over 20 years of diverse leadership experience to her new role, Mrs. Forbes most recently served as Training Manager for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, where she led organisation-wide professional development and compliance training for over 400 officers and recruits. Her extensive experience also includes culture development through the leading initiatives that promote local heritage and community engagement, ensuring that cultural values are integrated into organisational practices and community programs within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
Before assuming the Training Manager position, Mrs. Forbes served in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force for over a decade, rising through the ranks to become a Police Sergeant. Earlier in her career, she also gained valuable experience in the hospitality sector, working as a restaurant manager, where she developed strong operational, people management and customer engagement skills.
Speaking on her new role, Mrs Forbes said, “I am deeply honoured and excited to serve as the Director of Culture. This role offers a powerful opportunity to preserve, celebrate and share the rich cultural identity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, both at home and with the world. As our society continues to grow and diversify, it is more important than ever that our national values, traditions and stories remain visible, accessible and deeply rooted in our collective identity. I look forward to working with communities across the islands to ensure our culture continues to inspire pride, unity and innovation for future generations. I remain grateful for the encouragement of my family and mentors and I embrace this role with humility, vision and purpose.
In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs. Odessa Forbes on her appointment as our new Director of Culture.
The promotion and preservation of culture is extremely important to our islands, as it not only honours our rich heritage but also shapes the identity and values of our future generations.
We wish Mrs. Forbes well on her appointment as she works to chart a new path in advancing cultural development, fostering creative expression and in ensuring that the diverse traditions of our people continue to thrive and inspire.
Congratulations on your new appointment, Mrs. Forbes!”
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th July 2025 – The Office of the Deputy Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Alexandria Missick as the Permanent Secretary of the National Lands Secretariat.
Ms. Missick holds a Certificate in Regulation: Theory, Strategy, and Practice from the London School of Economics in London, England, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Diploma from Imperial College London. She also possesses a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Law in London and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Nottingham Trent University.
With her extensive experience, Ms. Missick has served as the Director of Legal Services, Compliance, and Assistant Company Secretary at FortisTCI. In this capacity, she managed the organisation’s legal, corporate governance, insurance, and compliance functions. She provided strategic legal counsel, skillfully addressing complex legal issues. Her responsibilities included managing and negotiating complex commercial agreements, evaluating legislative developments and their potential impact on the organisation, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, she played a vital role in corporate governance, developing and enforcing governance policies, securing insurance for the company’s assets, effectively managing insurance claims, and supporting the regulatory team.
During her tenure at Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Limited, Ms. Missick served in dual capacities as both the Manager of Human Resources and the Manager of Compliance and Legal Services. As Manager of Human Resources, she provided comprehensive guidance and support to ensure alignment with the bank’s strategic objectives. In her role as Manager of Compliance and Legal Services, she oversaw a robust compliance program that promoted good governance and adherence to the bank’s policies and procedures. This involved conducting thorough compliance assessments, designing tailored training programs, and evaluating legislative updates to understand their impact on operations.
Before her time at Scotiabank, she worked at TCI Bank Limited as the Company Secretary and Legal Officer. During her tenure, she
established an internal corporate secretariat office, developed relevant policies and procedures, and ensured compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, during the bank’s provisional liquidation, she supported the Provisional Liquidators by assisting with operational matters, including human resources.
Speaking on her appointment, Ms. Missick said, “I am deeply honoured to commence this important journey in public service as the Permanent Secretary of the National Land Secretariat. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our community by implementing innovative solutions and providing exemplary service. I look forward to collaborating with the talented professionals on our team and my esteemed colleagues throughout the public service, supporting their efforts and advancing our shared goals”.
In congratulatory remarks, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service, H.E. Anya Williams said, “It gives me great pleasure to officially congratulate Ms. Alexandria Missick on her appointment as the Permanent Secretary of the newly established National Lands Secretariat and to warmly welcome her to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service.
The Crown Land Division, which previously operated as a division under the Attorney General’s Chambers, now stands as a separate ministry with direct reporting responsibilities to Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier. This important restructuring reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the delivery and efficiency of services within the Crown Lands Division.
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Missick to this critical role and are confident that her legal qualifications, extensive experience and strong leadership will be invaluable assets as she undertakes this responsibility.
As Permanent Secretary, Ms. Missick will have direct oversight of the following divisions:
Crown Land
Survey and Mapping
Valuation
Land Registry
We look forward to working closely with her as we continue to strengthen and modernise the land administration framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Congratulations once again, Ms. Missick, on your new appointment and welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service”.
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