Robinson defends $1 Million Budget for 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Minister of Immigration and Border Services Hon. Jamell Robinson has defended the government’s decision to allocate $1 million for activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of ministerial government in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Speaking Thursday on the First Edition programme on Radio Turks and Caicos, Robinson confirmed that the celebrations are being funded by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government through a supplementary budget.
“The core budget is a million dollars that we’re looking to spend over the next month for the various host of activities,” he said.
Robinson acknowledged that the overall cost could be slightly higher once spending by other ministries and government departments is included.
Addressing criticism that the money could be used to tackle other national priorities, Robinson said the anniversary provides an important opportunity for the country to reflect on its political development and progress.
“We are literally taking this million dollars, plus whatever extra the other departments will spend outside the core budget, to take a moment to look back, to reflect on whence we came, reflect on 50 years of leadership and nation-building, and to commemorate what happened 50 years ago, which was the introduction of ministerial government,” he said.
Robinson pointed to the territory’s complex political history, including periods under the administration of Jamaica and The Bahamas, before the restoration of its own governor in 1973 and the introduction of ministerial government in 1976.
He also cited a previous observation by former chief minister and current Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick that the Turks and Caicos Islands had progressed further in 50 years than some nations had in centuries.
“We are the envy of the Caribbean. That means something,” Robinson said. “So it is only right to take some time and set aside a couple of dollars.”
While conceding that $1 million is a significant amount, Robinson said the budget would support several initiatives and that all activities would be properly funded and executed.
He also thanked volunteers who have contributed their time and energy to planning the anniversary programme without charge.
“It is about our country for them,” he said. “We love them, we appreciate all they would have done, taking their time and energy to help with the planning and, of course, to execute various events.”
Robinson maintained that redirecting the anniversary allocation would not permanently resolve the country’s social and economic challenges. He said the government has sufficient resources to address most of its priorities and will continue raising additional revenue.
“Yes, it’s a lot of money. Yes, we could do something else with it,” he said. “But doing something else with this million dollars doesn’t mean the issue that we’re trying to address will be solved permanently.”
The month-long programme will commemorate five decades since the introduction of ministerial government in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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