Dear Editor,
With regards to your editorial and recent commentaries on the Turks and Caicos and the suspension of constitutional government, I was recently on the main island where Providenciales, the capital, is located. I spoke with many people, including Guyanese about the state of affairs in the Caribbean archipelago. The citizens of the islands were extremely displeased with their local government.
Firstly, let me note that there are many Guyanese in Turks and Caicos working in the hotels, construction industry, and as teachers, clerks, and accountants, etc. I was told there are also nurses and doctors. Only a handful of the Guyanese are citizens of the territories, with most just having work permits. They are outstanding workers with their work ethic being extolled by natives. The local people love roti and curry and enterprising Guyanese ply their trade in private after official working hours. Guyanese do not partake in political activities and I did not get any sense that they take advantage of their right to vote. Even if they do, I did not get a sense their small numbers would influence the outcome of elections. At any rate, they were uncomfortable about commenting on political affairs in the territories as they do not wish to jeopardize their stay there where their income is on average over US$15,000 annually.
The native people were not afraid to give their views about their government. They complained about endemic and systemic corruption and the misuse of public funds. Bad governance was the number one problem they identified, and as such the suspension of the constitution come as no surprise to me. The question is, in interpreting the views of locals, why British intervention took so long in coming in order to weed out the roots of corruption and fraud (real or perceived).
In addition to poor governance, people complained about drug-trafficking, believing that some officials were tied to drug-traffickers. They also complained about illegal immigrants, although Guyanese and other English-speaking islanders were not the subject of the brunt of their venom. They mostly focused on Haitians and Dominicans (from the Dominican Republic). Most of the visitors on the islands are Canadians and Americans with a sprinkling of British and other Europeans. Several Hollywood stars own mansions on the islands which have the prettiest beaches I ever experienced. The best of the Sandals (Beaches) chain of hotels, is in my view, on Providenciales.
On politics, I do not know how the people feel about the suspension of the constitution and the re-imposition of direct British rule through the Governor General. I would be surprised if they don’t support it, given the ferocity of their complaints about their local rulers and praise for Britain and the Queen. There is much talk among the politicians about independence, although the opposition is completely against a break from England and want charges filed against those accused of corruption. The former Premier (resigned) and present (now deposed) Premier are championing the small movement for independence, although only a few years ago they were opposed to it to appease voters who were dead set against political freedom. They are not getting traction. The truth is the people are opposed to any break from England because of the high standard of living they enjoy, which is comparable to the US Virgin islands or French Overseas Departments. Citizens are also entitled to a British (Euro) passport, allowing them access to travel anywhere unimpeded just like a British national.
Suspension of constitutional governance, in general, is a setback for democratic rule and political freedom. Constitutional rule should be restored asap once the corruption mess is cleaned up. In the meanwhile, the people should be guaranteed full unimpeded freedom including the right to critique the Governor’s management of the territories.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
