When, Where, How and Why?
Introduction
I remember growing up, I was hooked onto a US tabloid called the National Enquirer. The magazine’s marketing slogan was “Inquiring minds want to know.” In the Turks and Caicos, there is so much misinformation or lack of information that it drives you to have a desire to know what exactly is going. Hence this article is about some of the things that inquiring minds want to know. Why is that happening? How did that occur? When will that occur?
When will the new airport in Provo start construction?
I know TCIG recognized the need for a new airport for the island of Providenciales. An announcement was made from 2021. It’s 2025, the same Government is back, but the new airport’s status remains unclear. Will it still proceed? Was it tendered? Inquiring minds want to know.
What is the compensation amount for the NHIB examiners?
The Government recently fired the Board and the CEO of NHIB and brought in an external company to examine the affairs of NHIB. Inquiring minds want to know how much is this costing the taxpayers?
Are Airports Authority and Ports Authority not part of Border Control?
Under the Administration of 2021 to 2025, Airports Authority and Border Control were under the Ministry of Border Control. The new Minister of Immigration and Border Control does not oversee the Airports Authority or Border Control. Inquiring minds want to know. Are Airports Authority and Ports Authority no longer considered to be part of Border Control? Why is it with Physically Planning Ministry.
Does it matter if it was one ballot or two ballots for the elections?
Despite 65% of voters supporting the return of the same Government, the Opposition has filed for a petition for the election to be null and void. Inquiring minds want to know why and is this necessary? Clearly, we know the intent of the voters. The outcome would not have changed even with two ballots.
What is going on with the Hospital Contract?
Prior to the elections, there were rumours that the Hospital Contract was being terminated. Inquiring minds want to know the status.
Inquiring minds also want to know why the Government wouldn’t invest more locally in the islands rather than spending millions of dollars sending patients overseas.
When will the budget for 2025/2026 be presented?
Inquiring minds want to know when the budget for 2025/26 will be presented to Parliament for debate. We have the same political leaders and the same civil servants so what exactly is going.
Will there be a budget deficit or a surplus?
Inquiring minds are very anxious about the outcome of 2024/2025. Will there be a deficit or will there be a surplus?
Will there be a quota system on country of origin for work permits?
Inquiring minds want to know if the Government will continue to allow so many nationalities of one country to get a work permit and reside in the country. Inquiring minds want to know if the Government will implement a quota system?
Is the infomal settlements
While we appreciate the establishment of the informal settlements units, inquiring minds want to know what exactly they are doing and are they demolishing any illegal shacks
When will the first housing project starts.
In the previous administration, we were told that the first set of development application for housing should have taken place in November of December 2024. Inquiring minds want to know the status of the housing application projects. Do we have developers? Where are the locations? When will it start.
Are we making any progress with finding the criminals
Given the size of our country, 10 murders can portray us as dangerous. Inquiring minds want to know if any progress has been made in capturing the criminals so that our country can be reported as safe again.
Pavement of roads.
Prior to the election, a patch of road on the highway was paved and after the election, another patch was paved. Inquired minds want to know why the patches and not a full tender for the entire highway.
Hotel for Grand Turk
Approximately three years ago, the Government discussed the construction of a hotel for Grand Turk. This hotel was going to be built by TCIG. Inquiring minds want to know the status of this hotel.
Pension Plan for Parliamentarians
There were talks that the pension plan would be reviewed and that one will have to serve for three terms before being qualified for pension. Inquiring minds want to know if there will be a change in the pension scheme for Parliamentarians.
Real Estate Amendment
Inquiring minds want to know if the real estate amendment is into effect. Were regulations passed or will this be like how it was in 2003?
What happens in TCI happens everything
Inquiring minds want to know why some people act like what happens in TCI does not happen anywhere else. I can assure you what happens here happens everywhere else in the world.
Conclusion
I am quite sure there are many more issues that inquiring minds want to know. We hope we can get answers for the above issues. Often, assumptions are made due to insufficient communication.