Local Talent Overlooked again

Introduction

The recent appointment of an accountant from The Bahamas to serve on the Integrity Commission Board has left me and many residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands deeply disappointed. For many, it feels like yet another example of local professionals being overlooked in their own country.

Let me be clear from the outset: this is not about having anything against Bahamians. Our countries share deep historical, cultural, and family ties. In fact, I welcome and encourage Bahamians of Turks and Caicos Islands heritage to come home and contribute to the development of these islands. The issue here is not nationality. The issue is principle.

The Integrity Commission is one of the most important institutions in our governance framework. It is responsible for upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in public life. Because of this, the process used to appoint members to its Board must reflect the highest standards of fairness, consultation, and respect for local expertise.

While the Governor ultimately has the authority to appoint members to the Board, the law also requires consultation with the local accounting association when an accountant is to be appointed. That requirement exists for a reason, to ensure that qualified professionals within the Turks and Caicos Islands are given proper consideration.

Local talent is here

This raises a simple but important question: how was this individual selected? If someone from outside the Turks and Caicos Islands could be identified and approached to serve on the Board, then surely the same effort could have been made to identify and approach qualified accountants who live and work here. The Turks and Caicos Islands has no shortage of talented and experienced professionals in the accounting field. The local accounting association is aware of who these individuals are, and it is difficult to believe that no suitable names were available.

In fact, the suggestion that no local candidates could have been identified simply does not stand up to scrutiny.

Another concern is the cost. This individual does not reside in the Turks and Caicos Islands. That means taxpayers may very well end up paying for airfare, accommodation, and other travel expenses whenever Board meetings are held. Why should the public bear those additional costs when qualified professionals already live here and could serve without such expenses?

Equally troubling is the question of whether the Integrity Commission Board itself was properly consulted about this appointment. Transparency and adherence to proper process are essential, particularly for an institution whose very purpose is to uphold integrity in public life.

I question whether the Board was consulted because I  find it difficult to believe that members of the Board would support such an appointment knowing full well that there are capable and qualified accountants living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands who could have served with distinction.

Let me also make something clear: this is not about my personal ambition. I am not seeking a position on the Integrity Commission Board. This is about principle and respect for the people of this country.

For far too long, residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands have seen opportunities to serve their own country given to individuals from outside the territory. Every time it happens, it sends the same troubling message, that local professionals are somehow not good enough.

That message is both unfair and unacceptable.

Conclusion

The Turks and Caicos Islands is not lacking in talent. Our professionals are educated, experienced, and deeply invested in the future of this country. They live here, work here, pay taxes here, and raise their families here. They understand the realities of life in these islands and have a genuine stake in the institutions that govern them.

When qualified residents are overlooked for positions of national importance, it erodes confidence in our institutions and reinforces the perception that local expertise is not valued.

At some point, we must ask a simple question: when will the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands be trusted to serve their own country?

Our islands have talent. What we need now is leadership, willing to recognize it, respect it, and give it the opportunity to serve. Until that happens, decisions like this will continue to feel exactly as I and many residents see them, a slap in the face to the capable professionals who call these islands home.