Former Deputy Premier Sean Astwood hasdefended the People’s Democratic Movement’s (PDM) record on infrastructure,claiming that no previous government has completed as much road developmentacross the Turks and Caicos Islands as the PDM. Responding to questions from TheSUN, Astwood highlighted the ambitious roadwork program launched under hisleadership, which prioritized community roads in dire need of repair. He notedthat the PDM began paving roads during its first year in office and maintainedthis momentum annually, addressing neglected roads in communities that hadn’tseen upgrades since the early 2000s. Astwood contrasted this with the currentProgressive National Party (PNP) administration, accusing them of failing tofollow through on critical infrastructure projects.

Astwood addressed specific concerns aboutAviation Drive, explaining that while it required attention during his tenure,it was not in as poor condition as other roads that were prioritized. Herevealed that paving plans for Aviation Drive and other roads, such as AcademyAvenue, were completed and scheduled for 2021 but were removed from the budgetafter the PNP assumed office. Criticizing the current government for inaction,Astwood accused the PNP of only addressing infrastructure issues when publiclypressured, describing their approach as reactionary and politically motivatedrather than part of a structured plan.

The former deputy premier also disclosedthat two critical projects initiated by the PDM—the Transportation Master Planand the Climate Resilient Master Plan—were tendered, awarded, and ready to moveforward but appear to have been canceled by the PNP government. He argued thatthese plans were essential to solving long-term infrastructure challenges,including climate-related resilience and transportation planning. Astwoodconcluded by calling out the PNP’s lack of initiative, asserting that theirpromises lack substance and that their delays and cancellations are hinderingprogress on key projects vital for the Turks and Caicos Islands’ future.