From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
TCI Governor welcomes Bahamian delegation
By Gena Gibbs, BIS
Dec 2, 2012 - 12:40:37 PM
Bahamas Government Opposition Spokesman Hubert Chipman at Governor's Residence in Grand Turk, TCI. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).
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TURKS & CAICOS - The Bahamian
Parliamentary delegation to the November 28 opening of Parliament in
the Turks and Caicos Islands visited Waterloo, the Governor's res
idence, where they were warmly received by Governor
Damian Todd.
Governor Todd noted how pleased he
was to welcome the "very strong, distinguished delegation from
The Bahamas'" as it was a very special day for TCI, following the
November 9 general election.
“So, I am very pleased that your
Deputy Prime Minister and your delegation are here to share this happy
moment with us and also to show how very important relations are between
the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas," said Governor Todd.
He noted that its about people, business, shared culture, and shared
experiences and that he and the people of TCI want to work together
with their Bahamian friends and neighbours..
The Bahamian delegation included
the Hon. Phillip Edward Davis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Works and Urban Development; the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, Minister of Agriculture,
Marine Resources and Local Government, the Hon. Khaalis Rolle, the Minister
of State for Investments; the Hon. Hope Strachan, Minister of State
in the Ministry of Transport; Picewell Forbes, Bahamas High Commissioner
to CARICOM; Mr. Arnold Forbes, M.P., Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural
and Industrial Corporation; Senator Joseph Curry; Hubert Chipman, M.P.,
Opposition Spokesman for Foreign Affairs, Theo Neilly, M.P., and Mikhail
Bullard, Foreign Service Officer.
Deputy Prime
Minister Davis offered the support of the Bahamian Government to help
the Turks and Caicos Islands where necessary, as
the two countries enjoy a rich history
of good relations.
Governor Damian Todd extends an invitation to the Bahamian Delegation to his Turks and Caicos residence, Waterloo. Governor Todd is standing in between DPM Phillip Davis on his right and Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell on his left. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).
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“It is indeed
a pleasure to be at Waterloo and I thank the Governor for his warm and
gracious welcome and hospitality, said Min inter Davis. "It was
indeed a great day and a significant day for th
e peoples of Turks and Caicos Islands
and we share their moment of joy at this moment. And, as I said earlier,
The Bahamas is the facilitator for all the peoples of the Turks and
Caicos Islands, we trust that this first step to wherever they wish
to go and take their country is a magnificent one and momentous one,”
he said.
DPM Davis admonished them to heed
the advice of Bishop Laish Boyd, who said only cooperation between the
Governor, the Opposition, and the new Premier that the wishes expressed
through the vote of the people will be fulfilled.
Bahamian Opposition spokesman, Hubert
Chipman, made remarks about the Bahamian Government's perception and
support of TCI's resolve to mend the division brought on by accusations
and confusion that are currently under investigation.
“First of all, I’d just like
to thank the Governor for inviting us here on this occasion being the
inauguration of Parliament. When I look at the Turks and Caicos over
the last two or three years, which they had an interim government, not
even an interim government, it was run by the Governor himself involved
with a committee. And to come to this day, and to realise what the significance
of what happened today is certainly indeed a pleasure to be a part of
and witness it today," he said
Mr. Chipman said The Bahamas and
Turks Island are one set of people and that Turks Islanders played a
significant role in majority rule for The Bahamas in 1967. He said what
has happened in the TCI is certainly a new beginning.
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