Informal Settlements Unit Issues Statement on Five Cays Demolition

Carlos Simons, Director of the Informal Settlements Unit

The following is a statement from the Informal Settlements Unit on demolition exercise carried out in Five Case earlier this week.

On July 31, the Informal Settlement Unit (ISU) in collaboration with the Crown Land Unit, the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, and the Planning Department, continued their efforts to manage and contain informal settlements, ensuring the prevention of future unauthorised developments.

 This initiative is a part of the broader strategy to reclaim and secure Crown Land for the benefit of the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The team undertook an operation in the Five Cays area, focusing on the recovery of Crown Land from unauthorised construction activities. The operation was conducted after Notices of Unauthorised Occupation, given under Section 22 of the Crown Land Ordinance, were served in November 2023 but ignored.

One of the incomplete structures at Five Cays, before demolition.

The reclaimed site after the removal of the incomplete, unoccupied structure.

 The exercise saw the reclamation of 0.1341 acres of Crown Land and the removal of five incomplete and unoccupied structures that were being constructed without proper authorisation. This was the 13th such exercise to date. These efforts are critical in securing land resources, thereby facilitating the availability of land for lawful and beneficial use by the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The public is reminded that the Turks and Caicos Government has established social support programmes for citizens who are experiencing challenges and may require such support. Affected persons are therefore encouraged to contact the relevant Ministries or Departments for assistance.

The Informal Settlement Unit remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring the proper use of Crown Land. These efforts are integral to building safer, more sustainable communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands.