| Causeway tops concern of North, Middle residents | | Print | |
| Thursday, 09 February 2012 09:59 | |||
|
The single issue that the communities in North and Middle Caicos brought to the governor’s attention at a recent visit was the urgent need for repairs to the causeway linking the islands. His Excellency the Gov. Ric Todd reminded his audiences on Feb. 6-7 that the causeway is one of the interim administration’s key infrastructure projects, along with the redevelopment of South Base on Grand Turk and the South Caicos Airport. The causeway was damaged in 2008 by Hurricanes Hanna and Ike, then again by Hurricane Irene in 2011. Although badly damaged, the causeway is passable with caution. Local people, including school students, business and tourists, use the causeway every day. The government’s Chief Engineer Norman Watts has visited the site, and surveys have been also been conducted to determine the full range of repairs that are required. But the governor agreed to see if some remedial work can be performed ahead of a major repair contract. Both communities also raised the issue of increased taxes, and the governor sympathised. He pointed out that without direct taxes such as income tax, the government had to raise indirect consumption taxes, which he knows fall disproportionately on lower income households. While suggesting that any changes in taxation policy are a matter for future elected governments, Todd said the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy is improving in 2012 and that achieving a balanced government budget by 2012-13 is a milestone set for return to elected government. It also will enable the government to pay its multi-million dollar debts and will send an important message to business, including potential inward investors, that TCI means business. A variety of other subjects were raised, including the Consultative Forum’s citizenship consultation, Crown land, support for farming, and the additional transportation costs of goods reaching both islands. The issue of residents having to travel to travel to Providenciales to cash cheques was also raised, and the governor promised residents that he would begin to investigate a solution for the more remote communities. “Extremely constructive” was how the governor described his visits. He visited the family islands as part of his promise to regularly visit all of the inhabited islands to hear for himself from residents and community leaders about their hopes and concerns, and to keep them updated on progress toward the milestones for elections. Todd previously visited all the family islands in September when he took office, and he visited Salt Cay and South Caicos for the second time in January. He will hold similar public meetings in Grand Turk and Providenciales later in February. “I would like to thank the two District Commissioners McLean Handfield and Dottis Arthur for all of their hard work in setting up two extremely interesting days — from generating audiences for the public meetings and providing me with other opportunities to better understand local issues,” the governor said. During his visit, the governor also visited the new clinic being built in Conch Bar, Lorimer’s, Bambarra, Cay’s Construction, Green Acre’s Farm and Gibbs Boat Building.
|
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... |