Minister of Telecommunications and Works Hon. Jeffery Hall

Minister of Telecommunications and Works, Hon. Jeffery Hall says that this is the first time in history that any local government has committed to spend over 56 million in road infrastructure most of which will be done to a very high standard. Along with the road works it was also revealed that Radio Turks and Caicos will be moved into the Tropic Ridge site on the upper floor where the new Disaster Centre will be established.

“It may seem like there is less infrastructure projects to be done in 2008-2009 but that is not the case, last year I informed the house that I intended to share the financial pot throughout the TCI and all the locally inhabited islands, this was strategically done to initiate and encourage development in these islands,” said Hon. Hall.

Staying in Grand Turk the Minister also announced that the H J Robinson School will undergo a face lift with a new library, security hut and administration block. The Community College will also have a dorm and other offices.

In the tiny island of Salt Cay a modern jetty will be built and the current runway will be resurfaced to allow larger planes such as the Beach craft 1900 which is currently used by Sky King to land in Salt Cay which will greatly assist the island.

“The South Caicos new airport terminal and fire station is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008, along with renovations to the Marjorie Basden High School and the police headquarters,” said the Minister.

Middle Caicos, Hon. Hall's hometown, will also benefit from the construction of a new Premier's office, which will also house the District Commissioner along with other government offices and an office rented to PPC. The Minister also said with pride that the new Rehabilitation Centre and an extension of the Conch Bar clinic has also been budgeted for.

In North Caicos Hon. Hall said that most of the roads will be paved by this September, while the port which is still under construction will be complete with a customs warehouse, immigration office and the entire area will be fenced in. The North Caicos airport runway will be extended to 6500 feet to allow flights to arrive from places such as California, and Canada.

“There are lots of other projects that will be done this year in Providenciales; the beach park in the Bight has begun, renovations of bathrooms at the Clement Howell High school and a new canteen, a domestic fire station will commence and two primary schools (Cheshire Hall and Blue Hills).”

During his presentation, the Minister dismissed the claims by the PDM that the government was doing nothing in terms of infrastructure and urged them to support the developments and refrain from trying to stop the progress.