Opinion | Legalising a Piece of Land for Turks & Caicos Islanders Should Not Be Difficult - Hynetta Forbes

TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS:

LEGALIZING A PIECE OF LAND SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT FOR TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDERS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY—SO STOP TREATING IT AS IF IT IS!

A major turning point in our Crown land system came after the 2008–2009 Commission of Inquiry.

Hynetta Forbes

The Inquiry found a high probability of systemic corruption and raised serious concerns about how Government and Crown land were being handled. After that period, the Crown land system was tightened and new rules were put in place.

It was primarily during the British Interim Administration that the Crown land system was tightened and reformed.

However, our elected Government has the POWER to lead reform, change policy, bring amendments to Parliament and fight for a better Crown land system for our people.

They cannot simply sit down and blame Britain.

Where is the proposal? Where is the Bill to truly address the wider land problem? Where is the fight for our people?

We hear about empowerment. We hear about affordable housing. We hear about putting our people first.

But when our people apply for land, they wait. When they try to buy privately, prices are out of reach. When some build because they feel they have nowhere else to turn, Government finds them quickly with a notice.

So where is the real pathway to land for ordinary Turks and Caicos Islanders?

Land is one of the biggest problems facing our people in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it is time we stop dancing around the issue. Everyone is building except the people who elected you.

And while I am speaking about LAND, I must speak about SOUTH CAICOS, my home.

So much of our land has already been sold and developed that I am deeply concerned about what will be left for our children and the generations to come.

Where will they build? What land will they have to turn to in their own home?

It is time for the Government to put a serious proposal on the table for South Caicos. We need to examine every responsible option for creating and protecting land for future generations.

This should include a proper environmental and engineering study into whether suitable areas of the salt ponds can be responsibly reclaimed to create additional land for Turks and Caicos Islanders and our generations to come.

We cannot wait until all the land is gone and then ask, “What are our children supposed to do?”

Government must plan now!

LAND IS NOT ONLY ABOUT TODAY. LAND IS ABOUT THE SECURITY, LEGACY AND FUTURE OF OUR PEOPLE!

I started speaking publicly about this issue in 2025, and I will not stop asking questions. I will not stop speaking out. And I will not stop fighting for answers until real solutions are put in place for Turks and Caicos Islanders.

I am Hynetta Forbes.

A Voice for the Voiceless.