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Opposition Leader Statement on Extending to Third-Gen Turks & Caicos Islanders

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Retaining and Returning before Expanding

 

#TurksandCaicos, December 16, 2022 – In their recent town hall meetings, interviews, and on news channels abroad the Hon. Premier and his Government have been announcing their plan for their Population Growth Strategy which is to simply provide citizenship by right to third-generation and further descendants as Turks and Caicos Islanders living abroad, particularly targeting the TCI’s Diaspora of the Bahamas.

As a matter of public policy and first instinct, the Official Opposition supports any idea that would empower Turks & Caicos Islanders, but this plan needs to be properly thought out with the right implementation strategy to go along with it. Unfortunately, it seems that this idea comes across as a Vote Grab, a Knee jerk initiative, and not well thought out.

A careful look at the current PNP government’s election manifesto would show that this issue was not even listed. What about consultation? This requires a summit with our people and a serious round of talks to get their views on it. Let us hear from all stakeholders. The Opposition is willing to join this process as long as it is open and transparent, and has the full support of our people.

Any government democratically elected by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands should first strongly focus on stopping the exodus of our citizens from the Turks and Caicos. Next, focus on getting our students and other citizens who left the country to want to return. Thereafter we can start the debate of second and third generations in the diaspora having Turks and Caicos Islands citizenship by right.

Our number one job as representatives of the people is to protect the rights of those same people who elected us. If we don’t stop the bleeding of our cherished citizens now, our country as we know might be in jeopardy of being completely shifted away from us.

We don’t have time to wait for a 10-year population plan to materialize. For now, we have to stop the bleeding and retain and return the people we have today.

The PDM Opposition is willing to work with any Government to achieve the following objectives

  1. Identify the reasons and motives for our people who are currently leaving the Turks and Caicos, and the reasons for those who left a few years ago.
  2. Execute initiatives to properly address and eradicate those identified issues and restraints.
  3. Ensure that there are policies, programs, and funding in place to empower our people and to stop the current brain drain of our Youth to other nations, especially the UK.
  4. Identify and categorize the factors that would attract our people back to our shores.
  5. The Turks & Caicos Islands need a period of stabilization where serious money, through which effective measures and initiatives could be designed to empower this generation of Turks and Caicos Islanders.
  6. To halt and reverse the reality where this generation feels as if “there is nothing in this Country for them” but that this Country is open to all but our people.

 TO ACHIEVE THESE ENDS

  1. We urge a tightening of the Reserve Category of Business Licensing
  2. The establishment of a Development Facility that would Enable(a.)  Low-interest finance for Turks & Caicos Islanders seeking to enter the area of owning businesses for themselves. (b.) Protectionist legislation would protect local businesses. (c.) Expansion opportunities in agriculture, fishing, and light manufacturing.
  3. Elimination of work permits for any area that locals are experienced and skilled in. We have to stop playing Games with our People.
  4. Remove Stamp Duty altogether in land and house investments for our people.
  5. Give the Youth and the Turks & Caicos Islanders something to look forward to.

Let it not be confused that we oppose giving our people who are descendants the right to live and work here. In sum, we must choose who will outnumber us.  The Government needs to do the following:

  1. Consult with the public.
  2. Publish a comprehensive Policy and
  3. Realistic Legislative Proposals. Otherwise, this is nothing but a shot in the Dark and a Glorified Vote Grab.

Our country is hurting and we need strong leaders, leaders who will stand up for them, leaders who seek to improve their employment, business, life, and living conditions.

People who were doing great 4 years ago now find that their homes, prized belongings, and good standards of living are but distant memories now, and now lost in time.

A lot of these losses could have been prevented if this current Government knew how to stop the bleeding from our country.

A lot of people would have remained home if this current government was putting our people’s interests above their own.

A lot of people would return home if there was something for them to return to.

This current PNP administration is not really trying to deal with the problems we are facing, and it really shows the ineffectiveness of this administration to impact change.

The Peoples’ Democratic Movement is hard at work creating strategies that will allow the bleeding of human capital to stop. We are fully committed to stemming the tide of our people leaving the Turks and Caicos.

The PDM is committed to having strategies ready for implementation that would allow for effective measures, inducements, and incentives aimed not only to make our people want to return home but also to have them excited and enthusiastic about returning home.

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Government

TCI Public weighs in on New PC Edvin Martin

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

A warm welcome laced with cautious hope from residents is what greeted Edvin Martin, Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), when he was sworn into office on April 22, 2024. 

Washington Misick, TCI Premier and Co-chair of the National Security Council,  spoke on behalf of residents during the ceremony, held in Providenciales.

“We have been looking forward to your arrival and for everything that we know about you we are expecting great things,” Misick said, indicating the country was anxious for a return to more peaceful days.

Acknowledging that policing is not the job of a single person, Misick also vowed his support.

The residents who tuned into the live event shared similar sentiments, many welcoming Martin, others, hopeful that his confident words would come to fruition.

Dozens of congratulatory comments were shared by users to Martin, and obviously appraised of his record as former police chief of the Royal Grenada Defense Force commenters expressed satisfaction at his hiring. 

“One country’s loss is the next one’s gain….all the best sir,” said one user.

Others were pleased with his introductory remarks.

“He speaks with great confidence, professionalism, and surety, I have faith that he and the entire RTCIPF will do well, God Bless and protect you all,” one resident said. 

Another followed it up with  “He speaks with great authority! We are looking forward to great work from you and the RTCIPF team at large.”

Others were interested and hopeful, but still cautious, comments included:

“We Shall see what will be what.” 

“Hopefully we see more than just ‘Round-about Policing’ and Ticketing. We want guns off the street. Justice and Peace. All the best.”

Also in the comments? Residents seemingly from Martin’s home country of Grenada

 “Proud of you Mr. Martin and I am confident that you will do an excellent job. God is with you and we love and respect you,” said one such individual. 

Other residents were flat-out angry and called for boycotts of the ceremony. 

Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner of Police, advised Martin to take stock of and put to use his entire team rather than engaging with a select few.

“I firmly believe that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We, your executive team, are here willing and able to work with you as our team leader to get the job done.”

For his part, Martin made several promises to the people of the TCI, for whom he is now responsible.

“As your Commissioner of Police, I assure you of my unwavering commitment to serve this nation with pride and integrity. I commit to being a Commissioner for the people and doing everything within my power to safeguard our communities.” 

Martin began his tenure on April 22.

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Knowles gets $14 Million Budget, plans to EXCEL in Service Delivery

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Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

With an allocation of $14,918,892, to be spent during fiscal year 2024, 2025, the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities will seek to consistently excel in service delivery and produce high quality products.

Delivering a Ministerial Statement to the National House of Assembly, recently, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Kyle R. Knowles says part of this year’s mission is to enhance customer service experiences and uphold the ‘highest standards of excellence and accountability” for the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“It is on this basis that the Ministry’s focus will be on ‘Forging Ahead: Building A Stronger, More Sustainable Ministry,’” as it aims to deliver on key programme strategies achieving “our key strategic priorities and initiatives,” he said.

Adding that the work of the Ministry is “closely linked” to the Government’s mandate in delivering for the people, he said collectively, its work to achieve “these very ambitious goals” for the benefits of citizens. 

Immediate priority is being placed on the Energy and Utilities Department, which is “heavily engaged in regulatory reform,” and requires a robust, multifaceted and strategic approach to strengthening and expanding regulatory oversight. 

“The current regulatory environment is in dire need of reform, and the Ministry remains resolute in executing on the Government’s mandate as it relates to energy and utilities and the impact it has on” Islanders, the Minister said.

He pointed out that a key part of the reform will be the establishment of a multi-sector independent regulatory body, which will be responsible for ensuring regulatory accountability, good governance, independence, and transparency.

Crucial to the reform he said, will be modernising the legislative framework to better oversee monopoly and quasi-monopoly utilities, “ensuring that the Government sets policy while the Regulatory Commission carries out its legislated responsibilities independently,” he told the assembly.

He said sustainability underpins the strategic goals of the Department, and the critical intersection of regulatory reform and renewable energy highlights the necessity for a contemporary regulatory framework to address the evolving energy landscape. “This reform is pivotal for harnessing renewable energy’s potential to help with stabilising electricity rates,” he said

Minister Knowles said the ]Department will be “heavily engaged” with professional consultancy to support, mobilize and carry out its important work, and the Water Undertaking in line with the Government’s commitment to the development and expansion of water infrastructure on Grand Turk,  “significant progress has been made on the 1-million-gallon salt water reverse osmosis plant project.

“Many milestones have been met on this initiative and we anticipate a successful completion and commissioning this year after the construction of the Reverse Osmosis plant building, distribution pump building, feed pump building, piping works and electrical works for the Reverse Osmosis plant,” he said.

He also reported that the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Services is committed to preventing and reducing crime in the island, through effective offender management, community partnerships, and dynamic rehabilitation initiatives. 

“We will be focusing on enhancing the physical, procedural, and dynamic security across the prison. These efforts will ensure that we continue to protect and serve the public by keeping prisoners safely detained who pose the greatest risks to our nation’s security,” he said.

 The Domestic Fire and Rescue Service, one of key frontline departments, will be focusing on strengthening its legislative powers through the implementation of supporting regulations to ensure better compliance and stronger enforcement throughout the islands “ensuring that fire safety standards are adhered to and are supported by proper inspections and maintenance,” the Minister said.

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Government

RECENT CHARGES AGAINST US NATIONALS FOR POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION OFFENCES

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The Turks and Caicos Islands Government cannot comment on ongoing legal cases before the courts but confirms the following four (4) US nationals have been charged for possession of ammunition offences against the Firearms Ordinance (as amended).

  • MICHAEL LEE EVANS, 72, of Texas, pled guilty to possession of seven (7) 9mm rounds of ammunition. Appeared before the court on Wednesday, 24th April 2024, via video conference link. Currently on bail, with sentencing hearing adjourned to June 18th, 2024.
  • BRYAN HAGERICH, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to possession of twenty rounds of ammunition  (rifle rounds). Currently on bail. Scheduled to reappear in court on May 3rd, 2024.
  • TYLER SCOTT WENRICH, 31, of Virginia, is currently remanded at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Grand Turk). He is charged with possession of two (2) 9mm rounds. He has not applied for bail.
  • RYAN TYLER WATSON, 40, of Oklahoma, currently on bail, charged with possession of four (4) rounds of ammunition. Appeared in court on April 24th, 2024. The matter was adjourned to June 7th, 2024

Persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that the importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons is strictly forbidden unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws against the possession of firearms and or ammunition and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Firearm and or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. An Attorney General’s Reference to the Court of Appeal certified that where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion to impose a custodial sentence (less than the twelve years) and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case. The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system.

Travellers are strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. The Turks and Caicos Islands reserves the right to enforce its legislation and all visitors must follow its law enforcement procedures.

The Transportation Security Administration screening in the United States may not identify ammunition in a traveller’s baggage; it is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of ammunition and/or firearms. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in arrest.

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