COCKBURN TOWN, Turks and Caicos Islands, Sep 20 2015 – Acting Premier and Minister of Finance Washington Misick has condemned the Governor’s appropriation of tax payers’ money for the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team’s (SIPT) security needs.
Responding to Governor Peter Beckingham’s announcement of the allocation of $2.2 million, $1.3 million less than was initially requested, to the police for the provision of the SIPT security, Misick reiterated the earlier stance by the TCI Government that the alleged threat is of little consequence when the country has more pressing and important needs to be met.
He said it is morally wrong for the UK government to be open fisted with TCIG tax payers’ money.
The allocation was made in accordance with section 4(3) of the Chief Financial Officer Ordinance and section 72(1)(b) of the constitution.
“We are amazed at the speed, and ease at which UK ministers make decisions negatively impacting the public purse of the TCI when it is expedient to their agenda.
“These actions fly in the face of transparency and the generally accepted principles of public sector budgeting practice by TCIG, and insisted on by the UK,” Misick said.
He added that the explanation for the unilateral appropriation of funds claim that the money is to cover expenses to the end of March 2016.
However, he noted that: “The truth is that given the snail’s pace at which matters are progressing, this process will not be completed by March 2016 and may go on indefinitely thereby attracting additional recurrent cost of $4 million to $5 million annually.”
He said it is the view of the Government that the decision to increase funding to SIPT demonstrates bias and scant regard for the welfare of the people of the TCI.
“Key infrastructure expenditures including that for a new/reconditioned RO plant for Grand Turk are routinely denied.
“One off expenditure such as ex-gratia payments to recently retiring low wage earners in the public service who have no prospects of alternative employment or any other means to support themselves, and who had a legitimate expectation to receive such payments based on policy have also been denied.
“These decisions beg the question do TCI lives matter?” the minister questioned.
He said if additional funding is to be provided to the police it should first be provided to fight youth on youth violence, community policing and border protection as is their international obligation which they continuously neglect.
He added: “The people of these Islands have sacrificed much to return to fiscal stability.
“It is a slap in the face that their sacrifice is being rewarded by diverting resources away from infrastructure development and social programmes.
“My Government decries the continued draconian stance by Britain towards the people of these Islands and will not be silent in the face of its imperious posture.”
