PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 – “My fellow Turks & Caicos Islanders, it has been just over 100 days since my cabinet and I were sworn in as the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Upon coming to office we presented a 90 Plan to the people of our beautiful Country, which included the major initiatives that we are undertaking to put our country firmly on the road to recovery.
So far, we have accomplished the following:
- Passed the Integrity Ordinance for Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senior Civil Servants, political appointees and appointees to Statutory Bodies.
- Cabinet Ministers publicly declared their interest
- Approved and implemented a Ministerial Code of Conduct.
- Introduced a Fiscal Stabilization Plan and implemented measures to curb expenditure.
- Launched the new Government Information Services Website which will ensure transparency in Government and keep the public fully informed of all Government business.
- Passed the National Health Insurance Plan which will ensure quality health care for our citizens and residents at an affordable cost to all.
Although we have accomplished much in the short time that we have been in office, we are cognizant of the fact that there is much more required of us in order to restore the good reputation of our country and rebuild our economy to ensure that our citizens are able to enjoy a comfortable life in our beloved Turks and Caicos Islands.
Regarding the statement issued by the Governor last week, we reiterate our commitment to working along with HMG and HE Governor Wetherell to accomplish the recommendations set forth in the report, and we are happy that they have finally provided the technical assistance that we have been calling for since coming to office in March 2009.
Additionally, I call for technical assistance from HMG to aid in the drafting of new legislation governing political parties, elections and campaign finance laws in these Islands and admonish HE Governor Wetherell to request that assistance from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a matter of urgency to ensure that all the necessary legislation and administrative processes are in place prior to the next general election. The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands should be allowed to determine who will represent them through a democratic process, a free and fair election.
Our position remains that we vehemently disagree with the suspension of our country’s constitution in part or whole, the removal of trial by jury and enlarging the franchise.
Section 25 of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution gives the Governor the authority to initiate the implementation of the recovery task force, reform of the public service, and crown land sale and management. There is no need to suspend the Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands as all the recommendations as set forth in the preliminary report can be accomplished through collaboration between HMG and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.
Enlarging the franchise to allow non-belongers the right to vote is wrong. Voting is a fundamental right and a privilege that only citizens of our country should enjoy; allowing residents the right to vote will only serve to further marginalize belongers.
Part I Section 6 (g) of our Constitution states that when a person is charged on information in the Supreme Court, that individual has the right to trial by jury. Criminal trial by a judge alone is unconstitutional and rests your fate in the hands of one individual. Trial by a jury of your fellow citizens is a fundamental right and freedom that should not be taken away from our people.
I encourage the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to read the constitution of our country so that you can have a clear understanding of the functions, responsibilities and authority of the Governor.
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat issued a press release on July 4, 2009 and stated the following on the affairs of Turks and Caicos:
“The Caribbean Community continues to hold fast to the view it expressed in its statement on 24th March, 2009 that suspending the Constitution of TCI and its democratic institutions and resorting to direct rule by the colonial power are not the most effective tools to bolster good governance and effective administration in the territory.
The Community therefore regrets that the intervening period was not used more profitably to find solutions that would avert the threatened constitutional and democratic dislocation. In this regard, the rejection by the governor of the proposal of the new Premier to allow the people of TCI to elect a new government which could have adopted and implemented the measures required to improve the administration of the territory and strengthen integrity in public life was, regrettably, a lost opportunity. The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and their ability to govern themselves in the long run will benefit far more from strengthening their administrative and good governance processes through their own efforts than by the administrations through the governor under direct rule”.
We are thankful to Caricom for their support and we share their view that Turks and Caicos Islanders are best suited to govern the Turks and Caicos. We have many highly qualified and fully capable Belongers readily available to govern our country and implement legislative and administrative measures necessary for the restoration of good governance in TCI.
My Government has categorically stated time and again our intention to work along with HMG to achieve the very goals outlined in the report of Sir Robin Auld. My Government and I remain committed to serving the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and reconfirm our commitment to working along with HMG to bring about the necessary changes to restore good governance and address systemic weaknesses in our country.
I encourage the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to unite and stand together as we seek to rebuild our country. Together we can accomplish good governance and make it through these trying economic times. May God bless us and guide us and may He continue to bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Hon. Galmo Williams
Premier
