CLASP Officially Launched, Marking Major Reform in Crown Land Management
- NewslineTCI
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The TCI Crown Land Unit, operating under the National Land Secretariat, brought strong momentum and public engagement to the launch of the first Outreach Event of the Crown Land Access Support Programme (CLASP) Initiative on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex, with senior government leaders and members of the public in attendance.
The event recorded a strong turnout across both the Open Day, held during the afternoon, and the Town Hall session held in the evening. Attendees included Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, the Honourable Premier Charles Washington Missick, several Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, senior government officials, key stakeholders, and residents from across the islands, all of whom gathered to learn more about the program and its role in reshaping land management in the TCI.
CLASP is a national initiative designed to modernize how Crown Land is managed, allocated, and accessed across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The programme brings together multiple government departments to establish clear rules and procedures, improve coordination, strengthen systems and data, and promote better transparency and fairness in the use of public land. A central focus of CLASP is improving public communication, including clarity around what Crown Land is used for, who can apply, and how decisions are made.
In her remarks, Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, emphasized the national importance of land reform, stating: “Crown Land is far more than a matter of policy; it speaks to identity, heritage, opportunity, and belonging. For generations, land has represented security, independence, and the foundation on which families build homes, livelihoods, and generational legacies. I encourage everyone to engage in the CLASP outreach programme, share your perspectives, and contribute to a system that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The Open Day allowed attendees to engage directly with representatives from the various government departments involved in CLASP, providing information on Crown Land programmes, housing and homeownership opportunities, beach and coastal accessways, and other key components of the initiative.
Addressing attendees at the event, Premier Charles Washington Misick highlighted the scale and significance of the reform, noting: “CLASP represents the result of years of careful work, collaboration, and a clear decision by this government to confront long-standing legacy challenges. For far too long, many Islanders have experienced frustration, uncertainty, and delays when navigating land access and housing pathways.
Through CLASP, we are responding with real structural change across government. This is about building trust, improving service delivery, and ensuring public land is used responsibly for current and future generations.”
The Town Hall session saw a large and engaged crowd, with residents actively participating, asking questions, and seeking insight into how CLASP will impact land access, housing development, and community planning. The session provided an open forum for dialogue and feedback, reinforcing the programme’s people-centered approach.
Alexandria Missick, Permanent Secretary of the National Land Secretariat, added: CLASP is not just about policy; it is about people. This programme strengthens and equips the National Land Secretariat with the systems, tools, and inter-agency coordination needed to better support residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands as they navigate the Crown Land process.
For more information on the CLASP Initiative, members of the public are encouraged to contact the Crown Land Unit at 946-1145 or 338-2645, visit www.gov.tc/crownland, or follow @tcicrownlandunit on social media.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Crown Land Unit is dedicated to managing Crown land holdings to ensure sustainable long-term benefits for all TC Islanders, fostering prosperity and development across the islands. Crown Land Unit Vision Statement: To operate a Crown land management system that ensures transparency and sustainable use of government lands.
The Crown Land Access Support Programme (CLASP) is a national initiative designed to modernize how Crown Land is managed, allocated, and accessed across the Turks and Caicos Islands. CLASP brings together multiple government departments to create clearer rules and procedures, improve coordination, strengthen systems and data, and ensure greater transparency and fairness in how public land is used.