CIG reports on first 99 days
(CNS): A self review of the PPM's first quarter at the helm of government covers a variety of achievements claimed by the new administration, from a re-drafting of the explosives law to a transparent policy regarding duty concessions. In a clear and concise easy to follow document, the government lists some promising new initiatives as well as a number of developments, from the UK's approval of its new four year fiscal plan to the restraint on expenditure over the last three months in the public sector. In the introduction the premier said that government had worked diligently to bring back stability since it was elected, starting with the restoration of confidence in government from the UK and the local business community
“Enhanced confidence in Cayman will assist us in our other priority — ensuring a vibrant economy so that Caymanians can secure jobs today and into the future,” McLaughlin said.
Admitting there was a lot to do, he said the PPM government had made great strides, especially with the UK accepting the multi-year budget framework. “We are able to put behind us the uncertainty and anxiety that has attended the budget process over the past four years,” he stated.
The premier also pointed to a number of other areas of controversy that the new administration had been working on. “We have tackled difficult areas like the Nation Building Fund, including the scholarship programme, as well as concerns with certain Government authorities head on; seeking to improve what was a bad situation.
"We have successfully pursued several initiatives relating to jobs and apprenticeship programmes to ensure that Caymanians have opportunities for jobs. We have reopened discussions with the Dart Group and good progress is being made on a variety of issues, including waste management,” he said.
According to the report, the Dart Group is still involved in talks with government regarding the George Town landfill on site, as well as continuing negotiations over the NRA agreement.
A scrap metal removal contract was signed with a local company that has generated CI$250,000 for government with the sale of 5,000 tons of scrap metal, which will be removed. Three new rear loader garbage trucks have been ordered and a 40-foot container load of various types of hazardous waste was also successfully shipped to Florida, in accordance with the USA regulations, for the first time in many years.
The report reveals that the National Conservation Law will be brought to the Legislative Assembly before the end of this year.
Before the year end, Cabinet will also bring the Commission for Standards in Public Life Bill, which covers a wide range of critical areas for good governance, including procurement, appointments to statutory authorities and government company boards, a new Register of Interests Law and setting standards for the behaviour of public servants.
Government has also agreed to an amendment to the Summary Jurisdiction Law to introduce a code of conduct for Justices of the Peace and training. Regulations have been drafted and a training programme is has been established for a Police Public Complaints Commission
“The Government has agreed to set up a commission that will act as an independent civilian oversight body for the Police and will receive and order an investigation of any complaint made by a member of the public against a police officer and or civil servant acting under the auspices of the police. Amendment to the Police Law 2010 to establish the Commission will be taken to the next session of the House,” the report states.
The Cabinet Office has begun the process of reviewing Cabinet’s Guidelines and a revised Code of Conduct for Cabinet. The report covers the economy, jobs, immigration, the Sister Islands culture, housing and numerous other issues that the government has turned its hand to since it was sworn in on 29 May.
“I reiterate that while we have done much in the first 99 days, there is much more to do, but I already feel a renewed sense of optimism in, and for, the Cayman Islands,” the premier stated.
McLaughlin was expected to formerly deliver the 99 day report on Thursday in the Legislative Assembly. The 100 day mark comes on Friday, coinciding with the arrival of the new governor, as well as the premier’s birthday.
CNS Note: Earlier information in this article and contained in the report below regarding a reduction in CUC bills is understood to have been detailed inaccurately by officials. CNS is awaiting an update from government and the ERA about the reality of a potential credit to CUC customers and a future rate reduction.
See full report below.
Vote in the CNS poll: How do you rate the PPM administration after the first 100 days?
Category: Politics
Yes the PPm are worried about stability in their government while people out here are getting robbed and shot in their own premises! Wow! look at what this little place has come to eh!
Other than sorting out a budget, which still hasn’t happened, the new PPM govt had one thing to do. One thing. Sort out the immigration mess that they and the UDP created in the first place. And what do we get? Nothing yet. Just some woolly, proposed Bill that may get a reading within the next three weeks.
PPM is blowing hot air. They have done nothing and sadly do not have plans to do anything.They are kissing up to Dart behind closed doors – trying to get their wish list as on the PPM manifesto passed. They have no desire to protect Caymanians or local businesses. C4C is a sellout & a lost puppy to Alden and Kurt's politics. People like Ezzard, Arden , Bo Miller are required to salvage what is left. Caymanians should realise that they have been taken for a ride yet again.
The only hot air is coming from you. This government is the most reponsible and capable we have probably ever had. You know that but it doesnt stop you from trying to spread ignorance does it? Their primary goal is to promote the interests of Caymanians and local businesses through growing the economy to create opportunities for our people. It is unlikely that people who cant see beyond the tip of their noses would understand that.
You mean 99 days of hell and all you PPM yarn spinners out deh wait till they do the final solution for Caymanians with this immigration bill you wont be touching that thumps down icon because you wont be simply able to afford to have a computer or electricity for that matter.Comparing yourself to the corrupt UDP how lame can you all get. Xmas is right around the corner though, keep hoping its going to get better ya hear it is said our ability to delude ourselves is a survival tool we are going to need it!
Final part of the WB extension to Batabano has been done for months and still not open – deal was made so let us enjoy the spoils at least
If it means that much to you, just use it. I've used it 3 times now when the 'gate' was open. It's kind of nice (lakes and all) but I'm sure will become boring over time.
Well at least we know whose supporters troll the comments section pumping up the dislikes – lol
this is typical ppm spin for 'we haven't done anything of note'……. but here is what they have done:
they turned down a free solution to the dump….
the new port remains a distant pipe dream. that has been booged down in red tape……
they have reneaged on the dart agreement and all dart works have stopped at public beach…
they have done nothing to tackle the crippling cost of living here….
they have done nothing to tackle the impossible cost of doing business….
I think they know and understand that if there is no radical and meaningful change then the next time around, the LA will be full of independents and no parties in sight. If they do not get that, then they are dead already.
Of course all of those things were achieved by McKeeva in his first 100 days in office. Not! Not even in his 3 1/2 years.
I have not seen any news article saying that the govt. has "reneged on the Dart agreement". Any stoppage of work has to do with the court proceedings initiated by the WB ladies, not the govt. In fact the govt. has said vis-a-vis the road that they cannot undo what was done prior to the elections.
Obviously, the reason we don't have cruise piers is McKeeva Bush who went around breaching contracts and giving contracts under suspicious circumstances till he was called to account by the UK. But now that is suddenly the PPM's fault.
Get a life.
stop comapring yourself to udp…aim a little higher!
Only because I am responding to a UDP supporter.
You want to put yourself forward?
Stability restored for certain now elected officials and corruption is still rife.In the past 99 days CNS and the public have highlighted instances in which this PPM government have clearly breach the peoples trust, from its appointments to various boards and commissions,to employing cronies to government post and how its conducting its business with clear instances of nepotism and favouritism towards political handlers and supporters. infact it has done very little to even deal with certain hold overs and officials from the previous government who were mired down and embroiled in corruption who now have apparently converted conveniently to Ppmism in fact in some instances it has rehired or seems to be protecting the same very people who have clearly had a hand in the situation we find ourselves in today financial and otherwise. Not only have they blatantly ignore or disregard the public views on these matters, but once again they same hell bent on further bloating the civil service yet on the other hand boasting of their financial prudence on our budget. Yet they are touting and whispering sweet nothings about stability to the public gallery while unemployment and crime and the cost of living rises daily. Now once again they are tinkering around with our immigration policy to please who this time????? The statutory authorities are running amok with their publicity smoke screens and now we see their travel agenda's and itineraries launched to make us more stable i guess!!!!! Forgotten are the very people who returned them to power and their cushy elected seat.. The people hurting PPM stop talking about stability in government thats the Governors JOB Alden!
1st 99 days in and the expats are protected from leaving this place when it was the Caymanians that gave these MLAs power
The only thing they done in 100 days is tour the govt building check FB
Have not heard from the C4C members…big disappointment sitting back making PPM finish ruin our immigration system… Thought you all were different !
What about the milking cow social service when will the abuse in that dept be addressed?
I was of the opinion that it was the PPM voted in not the C4C.
C4C do not control the house. PPM does if good or bad comes its all on the PPM.
Noticed eveyone wanted everything done today. Even politicians cant do everything overnight.
Nothing to see here. Move along. Move along.
Same old Bull$#!t From the PPM leader.I don't see anything there for us unemployed caymanians.Thank God for Ezzard and Arden for looking after us.I hope the PPM don't bring the changes to the immigration law and lookout for caymanians unemployed first.
How much is it..If it is the regular 5 cent drop in price that is worth the hot air Alden took to blow it out of his mouth?
Take $50-$100 off my bill and you might get my vote next time!
So let me get this straight, their generators fail and we had to pay for them through an hike in our bills. they should be ashamed of their selves
No, they're not. That's how regulated utilities work.
The report look like great even the picture but nothing done …….the cost of living in cayman is too expensive ,not job ,in cayman is (who you are .) ..I had looking for job like 5 month and nothing …..not body reply to me and tired ……is sad to see how my new government going to change the emigration law ……..I wish this 4 years passed already …….next time will vote (Independent) because C4C do not doing nothing ………
I hope its not an office job you are looking for.
But what have they done for the Jordanian?
Not much it seems, if we are to go by his post just above yours (15.11)………
whose scrap-metal company? i don't recall anything going to tender.
Well its about time!!!!! Now let's see how much it really equates to.
I'm looking forward to my 10 cents credit CUC…..yawn!
What about the retirement age extension. This should be a no brainier? Keep people employed as long as possible so they are able to take care of themselves or to be on social services and social services to take care of them……
It is my birthday too.
Oh boy I getting back $1.23 credit on my CUC bill!!!
Thanks CUC!
Lol. Funny how you were frothing at the mouth in June when CUC raised your bill by a similar amount.