Turks and Caicos Premier Misick's Speech

Image via WikipediaTEXT OF THE PREMIER'S SPEECH

From the Office of the Premier, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

PREMIER, DR. MICHAEL MISICK: ADDRESS TO THE NATION

My Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders: Today, the Turks and Caicos Islands stands on the threshold of a New Year -- a New Year of opportunities and challenges.

Rest assured that your government is committed to taking full advantage of all opportunities while at the same time meeting these challenges at all costs in the interest of country first.

In the past, we have demonstrated our determination to provide for the greatest number of Turks and Caicos Islanders to ensure the sustainable development of our economy. We will do no less now, as we persevere in building a nation where no person is left out of the movement towards progress and development.

My Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders: Before I continue any further, I must thank God for his grace, mercies and blessings that have brought us through six years of unprecedented prosperity.

However, 2008 was a tough and challenging year. Some of you lost loved ones and we continue to keep you in our hearts and prayers.

I address you at this time with utmost humility and gratitude. Thanks for the thousands of letters, e-mails, text messages, phone calls encouraging me to stay the course and keep on fighting for our beloved country.

I want you to know that it is only your encouragement and prayers that have kept me going. I wake up each day and go to work for our country, because I know that so many of you are depending on my leadership to continue keeping our country on the right track and going in the right direction.

Due to jealousy and greed, there are some who have plotted to stop our country's progress. There are enemies that are using us and turning us against each other, using the old aged strategy of divide and conquer. The saddest part about this is that, our own people are now being used against each other.

But as your Premier, I will not be deterred by this. Under my leadership, we have made significant progress over the last six years. As outlined in the Progressive National Party's Manifesto, many of our goals have been accomplished, and I have no doubt that you will agree with me that our country is on the right track and going in the right direction. You will agree with me that we should stay the course.

Under my watch as Premier, hundreds of our young people have been educated, thousands of our elderly have been cared for, millions of dollars have been spent on roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, seaports, airports, parks, sporting facilities and wellness centers. We have created thousands of jobs in the private and public sectors and business opportunities, which has empowered so many you.

In 2009, we will continue to build on our country's progress but as we do so there will be some obstacles.

First, we continue to be faced with tough economic times. Our country is not immune from the global economic crisis. As a result, like other countries, your government continues to adapt and respond to the downturn in our island's economy.

While growth prospects are favorable and we are looking forward to a successful winter tourism season, we have begun to experience some slowing of activity due to external developments. On top of our economic problems, we are also dealing with the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Hanna.

As Premier, I am cognizant of the need to act now. We will effectively use the limited fiscal policy options available to us and make the necessary adjustments to consolidate recent economic gains and keep our economy on a positive growth path. We have to do this while ensuring priority programs continue and protecting the less fortunate and vulnerable in our country.

To deal with these challenges and obtain our objectives, Cabinet recently approved a Budget Consolidation Plan, which is consistent with our ongoing Fiscal Stabilization Plan which was approved last year. The Budget Consolidation Plan includes a number of carefully targeted revenue enhancement, expenditure containment and administrative measures.

In a recent address to the nation I outlined the revenue enhancement measures. These are currently being implemented. Let me state for the record: 2009 will be a year of 'belt tightening' as we better target and focus expenditure programs.

As the leader of this country, I will lead by example and my Ministers and I will tighten our belts first:

-- All Ministers will see a ten percent (10%) reduction in their salaries. -- I have already instructed the Ministry of Finance to look at all areas, with a view towards cutting expenditure by at least twenty percent (20%) across the board.

Let me also inform you of some of the plans that are in place to curtail public expenditure:

-- The scholarship policy will be strictly enforced; and costs reviewed and capped at a sustainable level. In the future, awards will be targeted to the UK and the Caribbean and limited to priority areas based on academic achievement. More efforts would be made to enhance the role of the Community College.

-- Until the two new hospitals are opened, the overseas medical referral program will be strictly controlled and limited only to critical cases. Patients would be increasingly referred to the Region and UK where treatment is more cost effective. Investments would be made in improving local diagnostic and care capability.

-- All expenditure programs are being currently reviewed and greater efforts are being made to keep these below the approved budget. A new expenditure commitment regime will be introduced to better plan and manage all costs.

-- Efforts are being made to limit costs in the areas of travel and transport, communications and energy and fuel consumption.

-- A freeze on public sector employment was introduced and the 55 years retirement age will be enforced.

-- Contracts for rental of buildings and road maintenance are being reviewed.

-- All discretionary costs in areas such as entertainment, grants, and consultants will be curtailed and in some cases eliminated.

-- The Music and Film festivals would be reviewed and cost capped.

-- Public sector investment expenditure will be focused on completing ongoing projects; such as the South Caicos Airport, Middle Caicos Office Block, North Caicos Airport and Road and Coastal Radar Project.

-- Expenditure containment and targeting would also apply to the activities of statutory bodies which receive a government subvention.

Additionally, all new revenue initiatives will be put on hold except for the National Health Insurance plan.

The expansion of the airport and the introduction of an additional departure tax with airport development tax will be placed on hold. Your government is a compassionate one, and we simply could not impose any additional tax at this time.

These difficult economic times will not last forever. Together we will get through them. All I ask of you is that you trust in the experienced leadership that has brought you prosperity over the past six years. All of you must agree that this is no time to be experimenting with selfish and self-serving interests, who are putting themselves before the country.

Brothers and Sisters, stay the course. We are on the right track and moving in the right direction.

My Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders: As promised, I will keep you updated periodically, as to the rebuilding efforts following the passage of Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike.

My government is keen to effectively address rebuilding efforts following Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike:

-- The National Rebuilding Plan -– Rebuild TCI -– continues to give assistance to needy households on Grand Turk and South Caicos based on an objective assessment criteria. Assistance under Rebuild TCI is being overseen by an Assessment Committee with representatives from a cross section of the community and non government organizations.

-- Public investment expenditure will be switched towards disaster rehabilitation and recovery projects on the most affected Islands.

-- At the request of the government, a socioeconomic assessment report on the costs of Hurricane Ike and Tropical storm Hanna was commissioned and is being finalized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and will form the basis of a Recovery Plan.

-- An Early Disaster Recovery Planning Framework which will address institutional arrangements for the preparation and implementation of a Recovery Plan is being prepared by the government, with technical assistance from CARICARD through the United Nations Development Program.

-- Several donors and development partners such as the Caribbean Development Bank and the European Commission have been approached to assist with the recovery and reconstruction of affected islands post – Hurricane Ike. A Donor's Conference is being planned for early this year to continue the process of mobilizing support for a comprehensive Recovery Plan.

My Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders: I will now turn my attention to the ongoing Commission of Inquiry. As you are all aware, from the very onset, the Government was of the view that there was no basis for such a public inquiry.

It was also our initial view that opposition forces and perhaps those who do not support the objectives of my Government were prepared to take steps to undermine my government.

I would wish to remind all of you that Commission's terms of reference is to "investigate alleged corruption and dishonesty of past or present members of Parliament." As some of you are aware, a schedule of witnesses has been released by the Commission and I take particular note of the fact that there appears to be no present intention to examine the conduct and decision making process of the former PDM Administration. I am satisfied though that the Commission would properly discharge its duties and obligations and I continue to direct my Ministers to be fully cooperative with the Commission.

As you are also aware, I am slated to appear before the Commission next week. I intend to be candid and honest with the Commission so that the image of our beloved country will not be tarnished or jeopardized in any way.

I have always maintained that as Premier, it is my duty to accept full responsibility for the successes and shortcomings of my government. In this regard, I publicly say to you, we may have made errors of judgment, but in doing so I have always been guided by the overarching objectives of my government to improve the life for all Turks and Caicos Islanders. Therefore, I will share with the Commission information concerning my personal affairs and that of my former wife, although it saddens me to discuss these matters in public, I am constrained to do so based on my decision to be fully cooperative with the Commission.

On previous occasions, I have said that due to the unprecedented fast paced development of our country, my Government may have made mistakes but I am satisfied that no law was broken and no rule breached which can give rise to criminal sanctions.

I remain optimistic that the recommendations which will emanate from the Commission will prove beneficial to the further development of these Islands. In a developing democracy such as ours, it is not unusual for there to be a need for regular reviews and amendments of our policies and existing legislation.

My government has begun this process of introducing legislation to ensure greater transparency such as the Integrity in Public Office and the Proceeds of Crime Bill.

We intend to bring to Parliament the following new pieces of legislation:

-- Legislation that will deal with the distribution of Crown Land and how persons are able to deal with Crown Land granted to them; for example placing a moratorium on sale for a defined period.

-- Legislation regarding Campaign Finance. This will be the first time such legislation will be brought to the House to deal with how political campaigns are funded.

-- Legislation regarding the conduct of Ministers, in an effort to move beyond the Ministerial Code of Conduct to something more substantive.

-- Legislation to establish an Educational Scholarship Authority to regulate and ensure transparency in the award of scholarships.

-- Legislation to establish a National Health Insurance Scheme

-- A comprehensive review of the existing Immigration Legislation to address issues of Belongership and Permanent Residency

My Fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders: Finally, let me speak to the issue of division within the Progressive National Party. It is very unfortunate, and it could not have come at a worse time. However, we live in a democracy. On Monday, I convened a meeting of all my Ministers. At that meeting, all Ministers assured me and recommitted themselves to working diligently as a team, for the betterment of you, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, be assured that your Government which you have elected, remains intact, and all Ministers continue to work for you.

You gave us a solid 13 to 2 seat victory at the last elections, giving us the resounding mandate to continue on the road of progress and empowerment.

You and only you, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, can decide your leader. No one else.

It's a New Year and my government has a lot of work to do in the remaining two years of my Administration. Let us stay focused with renewed energy as we tackle the upcoming challenges together. I know that the challenges are many but we will overcome.

Brothers and Sisters, Stay the Course. We are on the Right Track. We are moving in the Right Direction.

Happy New Year to all of you. May God Bless you and May God Bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.