March 31 - April 6, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
13
Letters
A plan for our nation Dear Editor, Nearly a decade has passed since the PNP government came into power and has taken us to extreme heights, resulting in a devastating new low for the TCI. Our country has been tossed to and fro due to this interim administration’s indecisiveness and inadequate governance of our country. It is with certainty that this nightmare will soon be at its end. I have decided to take on the challenge of formulating strategies and solutions that will result in a new and improved TCI. Consequently, the more thought is given to this task, the more daunting the reality of out condition truly is. The first order of business would be to orchestrate a fair and free election. It is necessary to have an elected government that can truly make wise decisions for the people of this country. The immediate negotiations with companies and the revitalisation of projects that have been left dormant for the past few years will profoundly affect employment rates. We must rebuild our financial sector, control, monitor and market our fishing industry. There must be a reestablishment and management of our agricultural resources. It is also important to recognise and rebuild our labour department, so that the indigenous people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are given more of an opportunity to gain employment in their own country. It is my intent to offer my knowledge and dedication to be of
service to this country. Once nominated by the PDM party as a candidate for the Cheshire Hall (Kew Town) constituency, I will take the necessary avenues to begin the reconstruction process. I am also convinced that my contributions will be more effectively utilised in the following areas: Education: We must channel out brilliant young minds toward academic excellence so that they can have a competitive edge. Our scholarship programme needs to be directed to the goal of nation building. Labour: The Department of Labour needs to be dismantled and rebuilt. Accountability would be foremost to the people of the TCI, most especially the indigenous. Standardisation: The revision of the gratuity distribution system must be looked at with regard to the standardisation of the service industry. Ensuring and enforcing the proper succession planning programme is in the place in the entire industry. The apprentice programme also needs to be re-established. The establishment of a pension fund should also be considered, after working a period of ten years or greater, an employee should have the benefit of setting funds aside for their retirement. Over the next few months, I will present a more detailed outline on the areas in which I would like to make my contributions. I offer myself to be of service to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sincerely, I Oral Selver
Attendees and presenters at the workshop
Teen mothers encouraged to rise above their circumstances Teenage mothers were told that their situation should not be an excuse to stem the progress of their individual development at a one-day workshop hosted by the Gender Affairs Unit (GAU) in collaboration with the Single Parent Support Network (SPSN). The session, part of International Women’s Day initiative, was aimed at encouraging and empowering the young women and to create an environment conducive to positive growth for both themselves and their children. The workshop also hopes to reduce the many negative consequences that teenage pregnancy has for the parents, the child, and society as well. Held a Held Tuesday at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, the theme of the workshop was ‘Tips for Healthy Living and Self -fulfillment (Mind and Body)’. Deputy Coordinator of the Gender Affairs Unit, Ms. Barbara Handfield said, “It is purpose is in keeping with this year’s Women’s Day themeConnecting Girls, Inspiring Futures and seeks to educate and equip young mothers with parenting skills so they can uplift their status and participate
fully in their development process.” Handfield emphasized the domino effect that a happy, educated parent has on a child. “A happy child makes a happy home. A happy home promotes a happy neighborhood. Such a neighborhood affects a community, which in turn inspires a country. “The gender department also aims to start a teenage mother support group in order to help them find financial independence and continue with their education and not to regress into a depressive state,” Handfield said. She highlighted that learning facilities like the New Beginnings School, established by the GAU in Providenciales and Grand Turk, are available for pregnant teens and teen mothers to continue their education. Handfield said, “The GAU also plans to liaison with different companies to help the mothers that are of working age to find a job.” The sessions included advice and discussions on healthy living for both mother and child, parenting skills, education and personal development, economic empowerment and spiritual fulfillment. Presentations were made by
speakers including, Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Winsome Fearon, who persisted to motivate and inspire the young women to “make good choices and not let their situation be an excuse to their progress”. Informative contributions were also made by Gynecologist/ Obstetrician, Dr. Dawn Perry, who educated the young ladies on the different types of birth control available. Another speaker, Nurse Sinny Ramkellowan, advised on immunization and healthy living practices, while Ms. Carisa Clare addressed her presentation to boosting their self-esteem and SPSN member Mrs. Rebecca Taylor advised on parenting and money skills. The Single Parent Support Network, which operates as a Non-Governmental Organization, emerged as a by-product of the first Single Parent Workshop held in August 2009. A similar workshop will be held in Grand Turk in April while a third in its planning stage, promises to involve men as the GAU seeks to create an equal, unbiased TCI and to empower both males and females.
COMMENTARY
Meeting Challenges
No matter what your political persuasion we all have to admit we are facing challenges never before experienced in the TCI. It has become obvious that The British Interim Government does not have the formula to meet the challenges. There is a basic misunderstanding of what provided the to date development of the countries economy. On the positive side are efforts to recover crown land misappropriated and to reduce the size of the civil service. Crown land recovery will be helpful only in the long term. A smaller civil service will immediately help the budget. The challenge that has
By David Tapfer not been touched is the NHIP health plan. This plan is not only killing the budget but it has also reduced the level of care. Everyone visiting the clinics and many visiting the hospitals have negative stories. The only effort applied by the Interim group is
raising the taxes and resident paid costs plus beginning to build clinic buildings. However, health care is dispensed by qualified individuals not buildings. Ask yourself what unqualified individual(s) created this medical mess. Some are in court and others are trying to halt our tourist income. Recently we had a leadership conference. Of course, this is a good thing but those walking in the doors as novices did not emerge as leaders. Some say leaders are born and some say they are made. We are all born equal. Our parents, teachers, friends and mentors put us on the road to leadership. We have often seen leaders who are not managers and managers who are not leaders. How
many aspiring leaders in the TCI have ever been faced with meeting a payroll? Education is important but so is managerial experience. Before too long we will be facing elections and those chosen will be facing serious challenges. To evaluate the candidates we need to see their resumes. What have they succeeded at? How well employed have they been. At this point, they need to be managers and leaders but also patriots. We do not need a large civil service to handle the affairs of this tiny nation. They do need to be well trained. In the opinion of all interfacing with the civil service, prior governments have failed at this task.
The biggest Turks and Caicos owned business is government. Most of the reoccurring income of the TCI is funneled through the TCIG. That is why all manner of people want to feed at this trough. Interesting is that the resorts and most people reside in the Caicos Islands yet the money is funneled through Grand Turk. History has caused this situation...the tail wagging the dog. For the first time in almost 10 years, we have a potential leader who resides in Grand Turk, the other side of the buoy. The country wonders, is he really in charge and will the electorate give him the nod?