News

TREVOR MUSGROVE REFLECTS ON TWO YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF TCHTA

Published

3 months ago

May 15, 2023

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, May 15, 2023 – Post-election, Trevor Musgrove now moves from the role of TCHTA President to Chairman. Musgrove delivered his final message to members at the association’s recent AGM, before passing the torch to the newly elected President, James McAnally.

Reflecting on his two years, Trevor says, “Through my involvement as a Board Director in previous years, I knew the role would be both challenging and rewarding.” He continued, “As an Allied Member, it was important to me that we worked to bring even more small businesses into the membership and forged a better relationship with government. These were my main goals.”

As Chair of the Advocacy Committee, Musgrove’s final report on February 24^th was an overview of the organization’s success in representing its members, the tourism industry, and the country’s communities. Advocacy issues over the past two years ran the gamut of Immigration and Border Control regulations, Human Resource concerns, Crime, and more.

In 2022, the association’s efforts were chiefly focused on the big changes announced by government for the DMMO transition and lobbying for responsive and aggressive tactics in the face of the country’s heightened crime wave. Back in 2021 when Musgrove was first elected to the seat, the country was moving out of its ‘closed borders’ period, and many crucial decisions needed to be made for the safety and protection of the country and its people while balancing the need for an economic rebound.

Incidentally, the TCHTA Board and current government both took seats around the same time in 2021, and Musgrove’s team engaged the Ministers early to pledge a continued commitment to partnership. This, Musgrove says, paid off.

“Thankfully, the government embraced the need for public and private stakeholders to be engaged so that the needs of the country were addressed holistically,” he shared. “They kept us involved and ensured feedback and data from our members was included when major decisions were being made.”

The Chairman says he is filled with pride over the accomplishments he and his outgoing Board of Directors achieved together and is appreciative of the all-hands-on-deck collaboration.

During the period of his Presidency, the TCHTA launched its Member-2-Member program which was a significant move to strengthening the network of businesses and encouraging B-2-B participation, and one Musgrove looks forward to seeing expand in its reach.

It was a busy and eventful two years as the TCHTA worked diligently to assist in the matters affecting the country during a time when the industry was getting ‘back to business’. This included assisting the government with:

Airport overcrowding after the reopening of the country’s borders
Lobbying the CDC on country’s status on global site
Setting up multiple COVID-19 testing sites for visitors and residents
Input on Beach Vending policy
Lobbying for swift and aggressive responses to crime
Endorsement of the Gun Amnesty program
Engagement with Ministry of Tourism and DMMO consultants
Providing data for inclusion in vaccination mandate Cabinet discussions

Musgrove says this list is far from exhaustive but shows the level of engagement and continued efforts of the Board and the TCHTA’s committees over the last two years.

“We have also maintained our focus on community efforts and ensured that during our milestone 30^thanniversary year in 2022, our calendar included various activities engaging the community because we simply couldn’t do it without them,” said Musgrove.

Among the activities referenced were the 30 Mighty Mahogany trees planted throughout the country; the adoption of 30 coral reefs through the Reef Fund, and giveaway competitions open to the public. In addition to the commemorative initiatives, Musgrove is proud of the association’s support of the South Caicos back-to-school program and the ADIP local film festival sponsorship.

He was pleased to have been at the helm to see the TCHTA’s signature programs “TCI Shines”, “Hospitality Adventures” and “Hello Tourist” come back after the necessary hiatus, and the association’s premier luxury magazine, “Destination”, return to resort rooms and to the international market.

When asked how it felt to be leaving the role, Musgrove had this to say: “It is bittersweet for me. It allowed me to play a more active part in the important work we do, and I’ve enjoyed every minute.” Musgrove says he has done his best to lead with integrity and purpose and looks forward to giving his full support to the new President, as was done for him by his predecessor.

He shared his confidence in James McAnally, who will now lead a new Board of Directors for the 2023 to 2025 term, “Jamie is a committed and dedicated individual with a love for everything Turks and Caicos. He has been a part of the association for many years as a Director and is a head-down, hands-to-the-wheel gentleman. Always hard at work, and always thinking ahead for what can be done to make Brand TCI even stronger. He is also passionate about protecting our natural resources which is a great benefit as we move toward stronger sustainability efforts for the country.”

When asked why he chose not to put himself forward for the seat in the recent association elections, Trevor said, “Unfortunately my other commitments did not allow for it, but I am no less dedicated to the TCHTA and the work we do to protect our members, our product, and the sustainability of the Turk and Caicos Islands.”

He shared how humbled he has been by the wave of support and encouragement he received throughout this time. “A big thank you to everyone who advised or encouraged me along the way. I will forever be appreciative of your support.”

Musgrove says he leaves the post humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead alongside a group of dedicated and passionate individuals and hopes that whatever he brought to the role has been for the betterment of the association, Brand TCI, and this country that he loves so dearly.

News

Bankers’ Association President Samuels Finds Residents Hungry for Housing Financing at policy launch

Published

3 hours ago

August 11, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

Dana Malcolm

Staff writer

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – Despite the Government’s attempt to create more affordable housing for residents with the creation of the new Housing Policy, many say they left the launch feeling less hopeful than they went in.

After the event, one resident expressed it was time to speed up a government-operated mortgage scheme, and those inside the launch event had a similar lack of faith in their ability to secure bank-backed mortgages.

Marcus Samuels, Head of the Banking Association, was hit with questions about how the Association would seek to help residents secure mortgages to purchase these new government homes, considering how difficult residents on both sides of the employment spectrum (private and public) found it to get approval for loans.

The pre-prepared question was met with applause from the ample audience who had gathered to hear about the programs.

“Homeownership isn’t rocket science, ” Samuels said, stressing that once residents came prepared with knowledge about their own paychecks and the size of the loan they could be offered they had a good chance of success.

Necessary information included:

Level of income
Level of previous debt

He also said the cost of housing could be lowered for buyers if the Government decided to decrease or forgo their taxes.

“There are some fees that we genuinely cannot move, like the Government stamp duties, which is usually one percent on the transaction. Thankfully, the Premier is here— the ball is in his court.”

Zhavargo Jolly, Event Moderator, fielded concerns shared by residents, including that the proposed cost of homes in the example (just over $ 200,000) was lower than the usual market value in the country.

There was also a concern that the mortgages seemed geared toward double-income homes, which was not the case for all residents, alienating single mothers, fathers, and other single-income earners.

While Samuels came prepared with calculations for a hypothetical $230,000 home that he said proved residents could be able to own a home with a down payment as low as $12,500 the audience was unconvinced. When he questioned them about whether residents believed they could afford a home after laying down the calculations the answer was still a resounding ‘no’.

Following the event, Bishop Coleta Williams, Chaplain to the House of Assembly, also spoke on the programs expressing concern that residents would be paying back the loans for years to come.

Residents, in the comments of the live video which was carried on Facebook, expressed being disappointed that more representatives from the Banking Association weren’t present at the meeting when arguably one of the biggest roadblocks to housing is financing.

Government

New data reveals Housing pitfalls, government reveals detailed plan to fix it

Published

3 hours ago

August 11, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – Many Turks and Caicos Islanders are spending unsustainable amounts of money on housing, according to data gathered by the Housing Department via the National Housing Needs Survey, emphasizing the need for affordable homes.

Dominique Durham, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

“Respondents of that Survey provided that the majority of households spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing expenses. Now, as a rule of thumb, especially in America, if you spend more than 30 percent of your income on housing, it is deemed not affordable,” Dominique Durham, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, revealed.

He shared other significant data collected that showed the dire state of the housing market locally, including that nearly a quarter of residents live in damaged homes.

“It also revealed that 21 percent [of respondents] are living in homes in need of repair and 69 percent are looking to purchase a new home within the next five years,” Durham said.

Despite the intent to buy a home, the survey also revealed that many Turks and Caicos residents thought the housing market needed more affordable options for them to be able to bring that dream to fruition.

The majority of residents (32 percent) voted for the Government to create more options for affordable housing when asked what would best improve their housing needs.

Other popular suggestions included:

Creating Government housing loan programs (25 percent)
Housing subsidies (15 percent)
Home improvement/refurbishment programs (11 percent)

All of those suggestions voted on by residents have made their way into the Housing Policy as either short-term or long-term programs.

Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

“Long-term projects include inclusionary zoning, large-scale housing through public-private partnerships, and eventually, we will be establishing a National Housing Authority and Trust whereby we hope to lend at affordable interest rates. We also are looking to roll out help-to-buy schemes in the near future as we appreciate that an issue is also access to financing,” he said.

The Government is aiming to use these suggestions, voted on by residents, to fix the gaping hole in the market, but even with these new programs, there’s one thing residents say they need to purchase homes– better pay.

Jamell Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, was hit with the question of whether the Government would start to pay residents more so they could have more cash to afford housing.

The minister said step one was increasing public cash flow (with a pay and grade review for the public service now being conducted), and step two was upskilling all individuals to make them more marketable in the private sector.

“Our Job– is to ensure that our citizens as Turks and Caicos islanders can add value to themselves so they can participate more in the open market, and one of those ways is by making the community college free so you can access higher education– in a free open market which we have here, it’s hard to dictate to the private sector what they can pay a specific individual so we want to grow our individuals to make sure that they can level up,” he explained.

The Housing Policy launched on July 27th in Providenciales.

Caribbean News

Trinidad & Tobago Emancipation Day Marked with Major Events Attended by Prime Minister and other Dignitaries

Published

3 hours ago

August 11, 2023

Deandrea Hamilton

#TrinidadandTobago, August 11, 2023 – Prime Minister Dr the Hon Keith Rowley and Mrs Sharon Rowley attended the Distinguished Open Lecture by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, The Asantehene at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus last evening (Thursday 3rd August, 2023).

The Asantehene is the Guest of Honour in commemoration of this country’s 2023 Emancipation celebrations.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for Tunapuna, the Hon. Esmond Forde, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Senator the Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, the Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Education, Dr. the Hon. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister in the Ministry of Education, the Hon. Lisa Morris-Julian, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Professor Mark Wuddivira and Lecturer Department of History, Dr. Debbie Mc Collin were also in attendance at yesterday’s lecture.

Prime Minister Dr the Hon Keith Rowley and Mrs Sharon Rowley also visited the Desperadoes Pan Theatre at George Street, Port of Spain last evening (Wednesday 2nd August, 2023).

Dr Rowley welcomed His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, The Asantehene and his delegation to the pan theatre where His Majesty was treated to various aspects of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival which culminated in a performance by the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and a demonstration on the playing of the national instrument for the Asantehene.

“They now see Africa, not through European eyes, as a dark continent, but as the cradle of human civilisation, citing the discoveries of its great empires. They talk of it glowingly, as the world’s fastest developing economic region in the 21st century, having just overtaken Asia, and of its six of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world and of its minerals, critical and indispensable to the technologies of the 21st century green economies.

Today, recognising the pain of the Middle Passage, and the centuries of colonial brutality, I salute the African community, a people, who through grit and determination, is on the march, striving for further discovery and self-realisation, searching, and transforming themselves for the challenges of the 21st century.

Let us all reflect and educate ourselves as we celebrate African Emancipation Day 2023.”

Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley

Prime Minister of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

on the occasion of Emancipation Day 2023