It is time to end the blame game and the rhetoric
Introduction
This Government has been in power for almost five years. We understand that adjusting to government operations takes time, so the first term may progress slowly. We will not accept excuses from a government in its second term. Therefore, as we enter 2026, we want to see things getting done as the time for action is long overdue. We are tired of the excuses, blame games, and endless talks.
For years, we have been told why things cannot be done, why projects are delayed, why services are strained, and why problems persist. The blame is often shifted to the procurement process, the civil servants and politics. While challenges are real, the public’s tolerance for endless justification has worn thin. Leadership is measured not by how well obstacles are described, but by how effectively they are overcome.
Modern airport
In 2026, we need to see the construction of a modern airport on the island of Providenciales. With tourism as the backbone of the economy, the existing airport is inadequate for current and future demand. Delays, congestion, and capacity constraints not only frustrate travelers but also risk limiting economic growth.
Sometimes ministers like to make excuses that they just took over that ministry and hence a delay. But for the airport, the same Minister has overseen ports since February 2021, and construction on a terminal building in Providenciales still hasn’t begun.
The latest we are hearing is that an arrivals building will be constructed. Hopefully this can start in 2026.
Action – The Government needs to start the construction of modern facility on the island of Providenciales in 2026.
More and better roads
Traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and limited connectivity have become routine frustrations for residents. Improved road infrastructure is no longer a luxury, it is essential for safety, productivity, and quality of life.
Roads were patched on the highway before election to tease us and then we were promised new roads for Millenium Highway.
Action – The Government needs to build more and better roads in 2026.
Public transportation
Public transportation is another glaring gap. Many residents rely on illegal jitneys because there is no reliable, affordable public transportation system. A functional bus or shuttle network would ease congestion, reduce transportation costs, and expand access to jobs, education, and services, particularly for lower-income households.
Action – The Government needs to implement a public transportation system. Stop asking people to put forward proposals that may not go anywhere. Do it yourself Government. Learn from Bermuda.
The construction of homes
Housing remains one of the most critical challenges. Home construction, particularly of affordable housing, has lagged behind population growth and increasing living expenses. Too many families are being priced out by owning a home or living in something comfortable. I recalled in 2024, the then Minister of Housing indicated that the Government was expecting applications from November 2024. How long must we wait to see the construction of social and affordable homes?
Action – Government led or government supported housing initiatives must move from planning stages to visible construction on the ground in 2026.
More health care at home
No matter what is going on between the Government and Interhealth Canada, more healthcare in TCI must be a priority. Should we allocate millions of dollars to send patients overseas for treatment, or would it be more prudent to invest those resources in developing local healthcare infrastructure? A strong healthcare system is fundamental to national resilience and public well-being.
Action -We are calling for expanded healthcare services on island, including more facilities, more specialists, and improved capacity so that fewer people are forced to travel abroad for essential treatment.
A full-scale hotel on Grand Turk
The construction of a full-scale hotel on the island of Grand Turk has become a long-standing demand. In fact, it was this administration that informed us in 2022 that the Government will take the initiative and construct a hotel in Grand Turk. The last time mentioned was made of it, was that it was with the architects. How long does it take for an architect to design a hotel?
A properly developed hotel would signal real commitment to revitalizing the island’s economy and reducing the development gap between islands.
Conclusion
Let me reiterate this again, people are tired of excuses, blame-shifting, and prolonged consultations with little to show. They are looking forward to seeing construction cranes overhead, new roads laid down, homes rising, a hotel taking shape in Grant Turk, buses operating, and less people having to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The message to those in power is simple and direct. The year 2026 should mark the transition from planning to action and from promises to real advancements. The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are not asking for perfection but they are asking for action.