Article: Hope Restored
Jamell Robinson
Hope Restored
With all the pomp and circumstance of the arrival of a new Governor in the bag, it makes one ponder the question, what’s the big deal? Governor Nigel Dakin is the 15th Governor of these Islands and for some reason or the other his reception thus far seems to be greater than any of his immediate predecessors. Did Governor Freeman receive such a welcome? No. Governor Beckingham? No. Governor Todd? No. What about Governor Wetherall? Absolutely not. So again what’s different this time? Is it that he’s the first Instragram Governor? Is it the visit to Dock Yard? Is it the visit to the SNAP Center or the Prison? What about his inaugural speech to Parliament at his swearing in as Governor?
To understand where we are, we must understand where we have come from. In a few short weeks, August 14th 2019 will mark the 10 year anniversary of the Suspension of the 2006 TCI Constitution or as I put it, the day that hope was lost. Say what you like about the tenure of the Misick Administration, the one thing that all will agree on was it was a period that just about every Turks and Caicos Islander was hopeful about his or her future and that of the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Whatever hope was left by August 14th 2009 was grind to a pulp during the interim administration which many who purport to be our Leaders supported publicly and privately.
With the scheduling of Elections for November 9th 2012 and the rise of Dr. Rufus W. Ewing, the Civil Servants Champion, again the People of the TCI could yet again hope for better days ahead. The burden of paying back a $260 million Bond and managing the expectations of our people proved costly in the end to the Hon Dr. Rufus Ewing Administration as the firebrand of an Opposition Leader Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson promised a new hope and change for the future under the slogan “enough is enough, it’s time for a change”.
Fast forward to today, very little change, more dashed hopes and in walks a new governor who connects with the people in the way they like to the most. He says his top priorities are Crime, Immigration and Hurricane Preparedness, all of which are squarely in his constitutional remit. It’s said that he is even better at human relations than social media would have you believe. I believe as a people we are looking for something or someone, anything to hope in right about now. I assure you real help is on the way and hope will truly be restored. It ain’t long now.
Stay Blessed TCI
Jamell Robinson