D – Disappointed, Disconnected, Disengaged, and Distracted.

Introduction

As I have done on an annual basis for the past few years, I once again use this column to assess and grade the performance of the Government. This exercise is not personal, nor is it political but it is about accountability.

It has now been one full year since this Government entered its second term. That milestone makes this an appropriate moment to evaluate its performance during the first year of that mandate. The grading in this review is based on visible delivery, public impact, responsiveness, and execution, not promises, press releases, or long-term plans that may or may not materialize.

A second term comes with fewer excuses. The learning curve should be over. Systems should be in place. Priorities should be clear. Delivery should be measurable.

Unfortunately, what we have seen across all the ministries is inconsistency, weak execution, poor communication, and a growing disconnect between the Government and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Office of the Premier and Public Policy – Grade F

The Office of the Premier should function as the engine room of the Government, setting policy direction, ensuring coordination, and communicating clearly with the public.

While numerous policies have been passed into law, there appears to be uncertainty about the Government’s true objectives. Acts are approved, but they remain unclear how many of them tangibly serve the interests of Turks and Caicos Islanders or respond to their most pressing concerns.

More troubling is the Government’s approach to litigation. Several court cases have been lost, and in instances where appeals could reasonably have been pursued, it appears the Attorney General was not instructed to do so. This raises serious questions about legal strategy and resolution.

Communication has been another major failure. Press conferences were pledged every six weeks.  To date, there has been only one press conference in 2025, held after a tragic nightclub shooting. Crisis communication cannot replace routine, transparent engagement.

When communication fails, mistrust grows and confidence erodes. On this front, the Office of the Premier has fallen short.

Policy Recommendations

• Commit to mandatory, scheduled press conferences with published agendas.
• Clearly articulate policy objectives behind legislation and measure outcomes.
• Strengthen legal strategy by ensuring timely appeals where public interest is at stake.

Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Trade and Investment – Grade D

The $549 million 2025/26 budget is significant, but its size is meaningless unless it directly improves the lives of residents. Spending must be felt, not just announced.

Credit is due for the support of Invest TCI, particularly grant programs for Turks and Caicos Islanders and the Heritage Turks and Caicos Investment Incentive Policy. Progress on the Credit Union and Mortgage Fund is also encouraging, with both expected to be completed this year.

However, concerns remain regarding execution. The project management function has yet to deliver visible, transformative capital projects beyond the acquisition of buildings.

Policy Recommendations

• Tie budget allocations to clear performance indicators.
• Prioritize capital projects with visible community impact.
• Accelerate delivery of the Mortgage Fund and Credit Union initiatives.

Ministry of Immigration and Border Services – Grade D

Although revised immigration legislation and regulations are now in place, implementation remains uneven. Work permit processing times are still excessively long, while repatriation costs remain high.

Work permit fees for professional and managerial employees continue to burden businesses. Border enforcement visibility has increased, but enforcement must be consistent and strategic.

Illegal immigration remains a serious concern. Without firm quotas and labor market alignment, the issue will persist.

Policy Recommendations

• Digitize work permit processing and reduce delays.
• Review and rationalize work permit fees.
• Implement country-based quotas aligned with labor needs.

Ministry of Health and Human Services – Grade F

While some individuals delay medical checkups, the ministry must take responsibility for promoting preventative healthcare. Current efforts appear sporadic and limited to special observance days rather than sustained campaigns.

A significant portion of the operating budget is consumed by overseas medical treatment, suggesting insufficient investment in local healthcare capacity.

Policy Recommendations

• Implement continuous, monthly preventative health campaigns.
• Invest in local healthcare infrastructure and personnel.
• Publish data on overseas treatment costs with reduction targets.
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Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture – Grade D

While activities and events are plentiful, transformative programs are lacking. Long-promised projects remain undelivered. Where is the Olympic-size swimming pool promised year after year? What became of the building behind Abundant Life Ministries intended for special needs education? What is the status of the Grace Bay property acquired for college expansion?

Progress in cultural affairs is acknowledged, but stronger partnerships with each island’s committees are needed. Greater investment in sports is also essential, as sports, music, and culture unite us as a people.

Policy Recommendations

• Deliver promised education and sports infrastructure.
• Clarify the use of acquired educational properties.
• Expand funding for youth, sports, and cultural development.

Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities – Grade D

This ministry is responsible for policing, fire services, prisons, disaster preparedness, and essential utilities.

The transformation of the rehabilitation department is a significant and welcome achievement. It is long overdue and critical to address repeat offending.

While the police is not under this ministry,  we have seen an improvement in public safety and so this ministry must advocate police presence in all communities to prevent complacency.  

Utility services continue to frustrate residents. Insufficient transparency regarding infrastructure resilience impacts households as well as businesses.  Disaster preparedness also requires stronger planning and clearer public communication.

Policy Recommendations

• Develop and publish a national crime reduction strategy.
• Introduce public utility performance benchmarks.
• Expand rehabilitation programs to include post-release employment support.

Ministry of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development – Grade F

While work continues at the ports in North Caicos and Providenciales, these are ongoing projects rather than new achievements.

Road congestion, inadequate road paving, and the absence of a modern airport in Providenciales represent serious failures. Infrastructure is foundational to economic growth and quality of life, and this ministry has underperformed.

Policy Recommendations

• Implement a national traffic and road improvement plan.
• Accelerate road paving and maintenance.
• Advance planning for a modern Providenciales airport.

Ministry of Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment – Grade D

Agriculture and fisheries receive some financial support, but much more is needed to strengthen these primary industries.

Tourism continues to thrive largely because of hotel-led marketing efforts. Even without an effective tourism ministry, the destination would remain attractive. That reality should not be an excuse for underperformance.

Policy Recommendations

• Take a more aggressive role in destination marketing.
• Strengthening agriculture and fisheries as viable industries.
• Promote sustainable tourism with greater local participation.

Ministry of Innovation, Technology and Information – Grade D

While the ministry faced early resource constraints, progress has been slow. The anticipated rollout of the Quick Pay initiative is welcome, but it represents only a first step.

Policy Recommendations

• Accelerate digitization of government services.
• Expand Quick Pay into a broader e-government platform.
• Publish clear timelines and milestones.

Ministry of Home Affairs, Religious Affairs and Transportation – Grade D

This ministry oversees some of the most citizen-facing services.

Permanent Residence Certificate and naturalization processing times are unacceptable. Applicants wait months with little communication, transparency, or predictability. This inefficiency undermines trust in the system.

Public transportation remains underdeveloped and unregulated, leaving many residents without reliable options. Religious institutions could also play a stronger role in community development and youth engagement and therefore the ministry must collaborate more with the churches.

Policy Recommendations

• Establish clear service standards and timelines for processing of PRC and naturalization.
• Digitize applications with online tracking systems.
• Reduce backlogs through dedicated task forces and public reporting.
• Develop a national public transportation policy.
• Partner with religious institutions on community-based programs

The Backbenchers – Grade C

While backbenchers are not part of Cabinet, they possess the power to bring private motions to Parliament. Some have spoken publicly on issues, but these concerns must now be translated into legislative action.

Conclusion

The first year of this Government’s second term has been deeply disappointing. The Government appears disconnected from the people who elected it. Poor communication has led to disengagement, while distraction has replaced focus.

Rather than delivering measurable outcomes, the Government seems preoccupied with the wrong priorities. As a result, the overall grade for the first year of the second term is D.