| More Questions Answered by Consultative Forum | | Print | |
| Tuesday, 15 December 2009 15:18 | |||
 The Consultative Forum peppered members of government with detailed questions on immigration, finances and return to self rule this week at the forum’s third sitting since its inception in August of this year.
A repeated topic on the agenda was immigration, including the status of the investigation into the Special Police Immigration Customs Enforcement (SPICE) team that was ordered to stop visiting business establishments and private homes to enforce immigration laws after allegations of harassment. The Attorney General also confirmed that the investigation into the allegations is ongoing and that the forum can expect an update when the report is complete. “In recognition of the fact that greater vigilance is required, the Multi Agency Task Force (between Immigration, Revenue Control, National Insurance and Labour created in May) has been revitalized and will perform duties and functions where SPICE may be restricted,” Permanent Secretary OPSM (Office of Public Service Management ) Susan Malcolm stated. A public awareness campaign will be launched to remind business owners of the law. Anyone with information about businesses violating the law should contact Immigration or Border Control and Labour authorities. Sharlene Robinson asked a series of questions about the numbers of Belongers and holders of permanent residency certificates and work permits. Malcolm provided detailed numbers, including that 75 percent of the 18,000-plus work permit holders are Haitian, followed by Dominicans, Jamaicans, Filipinos and Chinese. She also said there is currently a moratorium on Belongerships, of which there have been 782 issued since 2006. Chairman Carlos Simons addressed the issue of returning to self-rule, asking Chief Executive Mark Capes if he agreed that there should be a return to self-rule as early as possible and if any work had been done toward that end. The answer returned was a clear yes, but hinged greatly on the constitutional reform. “It remains the clear intention that elections should be held by July 2011, and we are working hard across the board to achieve that objective. We expect a group who will consult and advise on constitution and electoral reform to begin work early in the new year. The outcome of that exercise should result in a constitutional framework that serves to address a number of weaknesses identified in Sir Robin Auld’s (Commission of Inquiry) report,” Malcolm stated on Capes behalf. Asked about the possibility of expanding the voting franchise beyond Belongers, Attorney General Kurt DeFreitas said that depends on the results of the constitutional reform group, but he expects a wide consultation to be taken before any decisions are made. “I am not aware of the full details of how the process is going to be conducted, but I would imagine there will be quite considerable consultation. That is the only thing I can say now, a more detailed answer could be provided at the next sitting of this forum.” Due to the increased cost of living in the country, Karen Delancy wanted to know about the recent increase in stevedoring costs, which bring no revenue to government but increase the cost of imported goods. No answers were available immediately, but it was stated a review is being conducted and results of that review were said to be made available to the forum in the future. Guilaine Brutus asked about the investigation into perpetrators of land scams in Five Cays where people – mostly Haitians – thought they were buying land legitimately but whose homes were destroyed in a crackdown last month on illegal settlements on Crown Land. She also wanted to know if the government was assisting the victims in any way. The attorney general said the investigation is still underway into those who sold land illegally. While the attorney general’s office doesn’t normally provide legal assistance for victims, he said depending on the outcome of the investigation, he could look into the possibility for providing some assistance, perhaps from private lawyers. While the forum did answer many questions, it also left the CEO and his advisors with many more questions they will have to answer at the next Consultative Forum meeting, which will take place in January 2010.
|
Related Articles
Entertainment: Your Island Guide
|
Top things to do in April Top things to do in April 1. From Golfing to More... |
|
Valentine’s Day Cup 2013 model sailboat races The Middle Caicos Sailboat Association will once again present the annual model sailboat races at More... |
|
Lime and Tourist Board announce weekly Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board & LIME partner with Cultural Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist More... |
|
Turks & Caicos Reef Fun to host dazzling evening The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund will host its 2nd Annual Cocktail Party Reception on Jan. 26 at the More... |
|
Fashion Glam at Regent Palms The Regent Palms is inviting everyone to an evening of fashion and glamour at their event being More... |
Latest Community News
|
Cholera Clinical Management Training Held in the TCI Healthcare professionals from the TCI Health Services were trained in the Clinical Management of More... |
|
Illegal Haitian immigrants Intercepted Illegal Haitian Immigrants Intercepted, to the Repatriated According to the Ministry of Border More... |
|
Ministry of Health Reminding public about sanitation Health surveillance teams attached to the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) have More... |
|
Scholarship applications now being accepted The Ministry of Education has announced that they are now accepting applications for scholarships More... |
|
History and traditions stay alive at the 13th annual boat races in Middle Caicos The 2013 Valentines Day Cup welcomed many fun loving residents and tourists to Middle Caicos’ More... |