| More time needed to reach all milestones, elections | | Print | |
| Written by Richard Green/richard@fptci.com | |||
| Thursday, 10 May 2012 11:19 | |||
 While “significant progress” has been made, more time is needed to reach all eight milestones set by U.K. ministers for the return of elected government in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the governor said in a quarterly report. “It is clear that while significant progress has been made in many areas, further work remains to be done before U.K. ministers can judge significant enough progress to allow them to reinstate the Constitution, thus triggering fresh elections,” said His Excellency the Gov. Ric Todd in a May 7 statement. “For some of the milestones, such as those relating to the Constitution and Crown land, for example, there is little left still to do. Others such as the pathway to acquiring islander status should be well on the way to completion later this summer,” he said. “We must continue to give U.K. ministers confidence that the country is run according to its stated budget and a fiscal surplus will be achieved this financial year. The milestone relating to substantial progress in the ongoing criminal investigation will require their clear judgement given that the trials will not be completed this year.” Thirteen people — including five former government ministers — have been charged with various corruption offenses and are awaiting trials, but the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team isn’t done yet, Todd said in his report. When the U.K. suspended elected government in August 2009 because of corruption allegations and a near bankrupt government, elections were expected to be held in July 2011. But slow progress on the investigations and restoring government finances prompted an opened ended direct rule that would only be relinquished with the achievement of eight milestones. Those milestones aim to stabilise government finances and procedure, update laws, reform weaknesses in land and immigration matters and create a more efficient public service. Todd and ministers have said they believe elections could be held before the end of 2012. The governor said progress on the mechanics of holding elections is on track with the completion of a census, new laws on elections and political party conduct, and drawing of new electoral boundaries later this year. Elector registration is ongoing. The just announced 2012-13 budget achieves the milestone of a balanced budget with a surplus, but making that a reality will require vigilance, the governor said. A new but so far not operational radar system that can detect illegal immigration vessels is being renovated and radar operators recruited, the governor said. Installation of radar equipment is expected in May and June. Civil service reform is progressing with the combination of nine government ministries into five and a 20-percent voluntary staff reduction, but the governor said the reform and reduction of more than 30 statutory bodies is still required, with board members to be subject to terms and conditions similar to civil servants. The governor will be holding meetings to discuss progress with the public on North and Middle Caicos on May 10-11 and on Salt Cay and South Caicos on May 14-15. Dates will be confirmed for meetings on Providenciales and Grand Turk. “The real story behind this update, however, is that there are a great many people both here in the TCI and the U.K. too working very hard towards achieving these milestones which will make this country a fairer and more transparent society in which to live, visit and to do business in,” the governor said. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for all of their hard work and commitment.” Click here to read the governor's report on milestones
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