Hon. Arlington Musgrove's New Year's Message

To the wonderful people of the Turks and Caicos Islands,

Honourable Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development

As we turn the page to a new year, I extend my deepest compassion to every family who has weathered hardship and faced significant challenges in recent times. Your resilience, your unity, and your steadfast spirit have long been the real foundation of our progress and have inspired our work and our dreams for a better, safer, and more prosperous Turks and Caicos Islands. In the quiet moments of reflection and in the shared celebrations of our communities, I am reminded that compassion, while it is a heartfelt sentiment it is also a solemn mandate: to lift one another, to safeguard the vulnerable, and to build a future where opportunity is within reach for all.

This season of renewal also invites us to look with hopeful determination toward 2026. The plans we advance are designed to be ambitious, yet grounded in the realities of our islands and the needs of our people. We are not simply constructing infrastructure; we are strengthening the very arteries of our economy, our safety, and our daily lives. Our commitment remains steadfast: responsible stewardship of our environment, the creation of meaningful opportunities for our citizens, and governance that is transparent, inclusive, and responsive.

In 2026, we will pursue a program of progressive development that respects our unique natural beauty and cultural heritage while unlocking the full potential of every island. On safer and smoother journeys, we will undertake the construction of alternative roadways to alleviate congestion on principal corridors. This is complemented by the expansion of road lanes on key routes, designed to reduce travel times, ease commute pressures, and improve overall traffic safety. We will further strengthen traffic management and explore smart mobility solutions that align with modern, efficient, and sustainable transportation for all residents and visitors.

On South Caicos, we will undertake substantial upgrades to facilities that support the vitality of the community; schools, healthcare access points, and shared public spaces; together with resilient shoreline protections and enhanced utilities. A critical component of these improvements is the provision of reliable piped water services across South Caicos, ensuring safe and consistent access to clean water. These improvements are intended to bolster daily life, sustain economic activity, and protect our people against the growing challenges of climate variability. The redevelopment of public amenities on South Caicos will be pursued with careful consideration for community needs, ensuring that progress never comes at the expense of our precious ecosystems.

North and Middle Caicos will see a redevelopment of existing infrastructure to increase reliability, drainage efficiency, accompanied by upgraded transport connections to bolster inter-island mobility and trade. We will pursue sustainable design principles that preserve our cherished heritage while delivering modern, efficient services to residents and visitors alike.

Grand Turk will be a hub for new and innovative business ventures. We are introducing systems that nurtures local talent, attracts investment, and supports small and medium-sized enterprises through incentives, incubation opportunities, and access to sustainable technologies. We aim to stimulate job growth and economic diversification, ensuring broad-based prosperity across our islands.

Salt Cay represents a special beacon in our development mission. The new year will welcome a holistic plan that respects its intimate scale and unique cultural character. Enhanced community life, improved coastal and erosion protections to safeguard traditional fishing and tourism activities and sustainable small-scale tourism development.

Our efforts will be anchored in three enduring commitments: environmental stewardship, ensuring that every project advances climate resilience and responsible resource use; employment and skills development, prioritizing local hiring and capacity building so that gains accrue to our communities; and transparency and collaboration, engaging citizens, stakeholders, and experts at every stage to reflect our shared values and needs.

As we step into 2026, I offer a message of hope tempered with resolve. Let us approach the year with compassion as our compass and progress as our goal. May we move forward together; patient, persistent, and proud of our islands; as every improvement to our roads, facilities, and economic opportunities translates into a brighter, more connected Turks and Caicos Islands for all.

To you and your loved ones, I wish health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year and beyond.

With deepest respect and renewed commitment to service,

Hon. Arlington Musgrove

Minister of Physical Planning & Infrastructure Development

Member of Parliament for Middle & North Caicos