News from the Turks and Caicos Islands for
|
| Back To Today's News |
Commentary: Hard Talk TCI - Legitimate concerns at grass roots level!
|
| Published on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 |
Email To Friend Print Version |
By Candy Herwin
It’s a sad day when some media outlets are patting their backs and blowing their own trumpet and declaring victory over what is actually a serious indiscretion on the part of the Governor’s Office over the publication of the final report.
This apparent lack of investigation into the administrative error or intentional oversight is more than “troubling”. It goes to the very root of principles of natural justice and due process of law being ignored and in the long run puts a sour taste to the concept of true democracy.
 |
| Candy Herwin has lived in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 17 years and runs a guesthouse on Salt Cay called "Pirates Hideaway". She was formerly a reporter for Radio One in Beirut, Lebanon, but now prefers the quiet life in Salt Cay |
Freedom of press is admirable but the half baked and distorted facts circulating are misleading the people and facilitating urgent and real issues to slip by unnoticed.
Whatever happened to the legal maxim “innocent until proven guilty”? The United Nations incorporated the principle in its Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
Four years ago, at a conference at the Center for Contemporary Conflict in California, there was a well researched debate on interim governments: Institutional Bridges to Peace and Democracy.
It was argued by one speaker that open tension will result if “the fundamental right to participate” in the reconstruction of one’s own country’s political institutions is not well balanced with foreign involvement (the British in our case) that intends to provide a transitional government.
And, certainly, it is widely documented that besides national security it is important to focus on the economic component, which is vital and of paramount importance to the future stability of these islands.
In real terms this country has come along way in the last 20 years… it has had a booming economy. Provo and Grand Turk has made tremendous strides in terms of high end development, with many beautiful resorts creating revenue, jobs and spin-off businesses in retail and commerce. The tourist industry was taken to a new level with some great international marketing and the promotion of the cruise centre in Grand Turk was a huge boost to the overall economy.
Every other Caribbean country is promoting and offering incentives to bring sustainable development to their islands, especially during these tough economic times with the understanding that development brings revenue and stimulates every aspect of the tourist industry, especially in a country like ours that offers very little or no product exports.
However, this debatable, long drawn out process by the Inquiry is costing the TCI not only a fortune but the continued negative publicity is most definitely impacting foreign investor confidence in these islands.
One question that was raised at the ‘Contemporary Conflict’ debate was “how to most effectively incorporate the lessons of the past into present and future efforts at policy and decision making levels in the context of international intervention in transitional governments”.
The answer was simply “by experience”.
We could then ask ourselves why we find ourselves in this muddle today when the opportunity was presented to the British to initiate a sound and enduring foundation to the constitution way back in 1986 with the Blom-Cooper Commission of Inquiry findings.
There has been plenty of opportunity for the many governors since then, which could have at any time put the balances and checks in place.
This is a very important question that many people would like a clear answer to… why was the previous governor, Richard Tauwhare, with his ultimate authority as representative of the Queen not thoroughly investigated with the findings of his culpability or not, made known to the public.
Investors and foreigners and tourists respected the fact that there was a British governor, adding immense credibility to their life-changing decisions to move here or invest. Tauwhare signed off on many land deals after sitting in countless meetings. Why is Richard Tauwhare therefore not standing in the firing line with the very same people he was negotiating with?
It is argued that at any time the past governors could have made a stand and reported back to the FCO.
Action could have been taken on bringing to light the weak transparency laws and all the other stuff that is just coming to light in the last year or were our Representatives in actual fact on their last assignment before retirement, enjoying the booming economy and the wonderful beaches without noticing or ignoring all the signs that has led to the current Inquiry? The Governor’s Office and the FCO need to acknowledge their negligence in their administration, which has contributed to the present state of affairs in the TCI.
Of course, no one wants to talk about this embarrassing little fact. Its okay for Colin Roberts in the Chamber of Commerce meeting to make off humour jokes about slapping the hands of our ministers but what about the public and personal apology and serious disgraceful conduct of ex-Governor Tauwahre?
 As a British subject and a Royalist it was most embarrassing to watch Colin Roberts’ flippant and arrogant performance at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. His whole speech on how TCI ministers need to find ways to increase revenue and why the British taxpayer should not have to pay for TCI mistakes and his offhand comments on how much income tax the British pay back home were in poor taste, better suited for a tipsy embassy cocktail party of which I have attended many. I truly believe that most locals left that room disappointed with the outcome of the discussions.
It was not the content but the delivery. Everyone agrees that the constitution is in severe need of modernisation and the British have the means and knowhow to do this, but it has to be perceived as a shared experience not “do as I tell you.” This should be a joint and friendly ‘state building’ project.
The British have an important role to play but there are some valid questions that I have heard raised throughout the islands. Everyone agrees that there is a lot of straightening up to do and a lot of accountability and transparency issues and corruption to solve in our home affairs but the public is holding high hopes that the British can work miracles. Without more down to earth involvement with the people, the long term goals will be hard to reach.
I think it is fair to say that the majority of people expected the British to come with a financial package that could not only back legal reforms but encourage their implementation with a realistic performance, which can only take place by updating facilities, greater training, modernised equipment etc, etc.
If there is no financial aid or, to coin the latest catch phrase, ‘stimulus package’ forthcoming from the British, then it is argued by word on the street that perhaps the British should step back and take the advisory role and call an election.
However, herein lies another problem that seems to be overlooked. All the politicians or potential leaders, whether now or at a later date, are still going to need and benefit from some intense training at the International Conservative Institute or something similar, where the primary goal is to train politicians and political party leaders unaccustomed to participating effectively in democratic governance.
This is a long debate but if the aim of the new Constitution is to be “modern and responsive to the needs of the people”, then the leaders need the intensive training and the people at large need to be more informed and included.
No doubt, the challenges facing the Governor are complex and demanding but one important role that is clearly understood internationally and in any forum on stabilisation and reconstruction of a country is that there needs to be concentrated interaction with a wide and diverse range of the community members and, at the very least, a mechanism in place by which questions and answers are addressed in a timely manner.
We need to ask, where is the opposition coming from to hold the Governor to his word? We could even go further and ask some other important questions… Where is there any legitimate opposition when there is at present no authoritative direction and where is any criticism of any policymaking coming from when the grass roots average man in the street cannot have straightforward answers unless they are clouded in diplomatic rhetoric.
While we wait to see in which direction the British will now take us, there are many people across the Turks and Caicos that believe that, if the British want a successful political transition with long term political, social and economic stability, then there needs to be a more ‘people-centered approach’ to governance.
So far, and certainly at grass roots level, it has been impossible to get any audience or written replies from the Governor’s Office. The people who live on other islands and are outside of the ‘inner circle’ have been left out of the loop in more ways than one.
With no internet, landlines and cable television that allows easy access to local news, how can the rest of the islands participate in the country’s recovery or have their concerns and serious emerging problems addressed efficiently?
In this light, it is hard to determine which mechanisms to be adopted by the British are popular and desirable and a prime example would be the selection of the Advisory Board. In reality, it is more than likely that a power sharing model will emerge, engaging those who adhere to either the PDM or PNP parties.
This is not going to change; the two party systems are deeply embedded in this young nation and could hinder the challenges facing the Governor. There is also the possibility and danger that a new political elite will be created that does not have the popular support of the people.
Certainly concerned citizens want to understand not only the nature of the selection process, but also which criteria are in place that will determine the distribution of authority within the government ranks.
Whichever way you look at it, the people at grass roots level need to be more actively engaged and encouraged in the decision-making process.
The mixed and often confusing messages of every island need to be carefully examined and formally presented by pressure groups and community meetings. The simple voice has a lot of power when joined together and can only be effective when heard and responded to from the Governor’s Office. The importance of constructing a positive relationship with the community should not be neglected if we are to move this country forward.
"What we need to do is learn to work in the system, by which I mean that everybody, every team, every platform, every division, every component is there not for individual competitive profit or recognition, but for contribution to the system as a whole on a win-win basis." W. Edward Deming | | | | Reads : 1445 |
Back...
| Comments: |
|
Alex:
Here we go again. Candy; the Yankee is trying to run the Brits and the TCI...Moreover, she is at a loss as her good buddy from Salt Cay is now fully exposed. What a shame! |
| Candy:
BRITISH, dear boy, BRITISH! |
| John Alan:
This speaks to everything that most people believe. The islands are so small and there are so many ways to have invested under the color of government authority; to the end that innocent people are ensnared in the corruption mess. Crown land use is in part for development toward tourism goals. What is a foreign developer to do when he takes a risk investing in Turks and Caicos and tries to play by impossible rules? Too many people trying to make the corruption circle bigger and bigger, which creates instability, and now...possible interference from Britain? Don't be short sighted; this will be bad for TCI. Let's move on and get TCI back on track. |
| Alex:
God save the Queen! At last something positive. Thank you Candy! |
| Turks and Caicos Islander:
Alex; you seem like a person who likes to divide and conquer. We have had one big problem, and you are another. Give the native born a break. Over the years we received very little breaks in our country. Think about it. |
|
|
Back...
| | | |
|
|
