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Chamber’s Third Energy Conference Serves as Platform for Power Sector Innovation

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Nassau, Bahamas, December 19, 2016 – From the smallest detail like banning Styrofoam containers on a construction site at a planned Exuma luxury resort to powering an electric vehicle via a solar power charging station, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation recent energy conference served up a harvest of innovative solutions to the problems of how to provide consistent, reliable power in a modern world.

“These are very challenging times for the energy sector,” said Chamber CEO Edison Sumner. “We must find ways to reduce our reliance on traditional forms of energy.”

That reliance – along with a dependence on government in order to get anything done – has resulted, said Sumner in a situation where electrical output, particularly in New Providence, is still dependent upon fossil fuels and an antiquated power generation system that is costly, challenging to maintain and unhealthy for the environment.

“For a very long time we have been ignoring our own welfare,” said Sumner, addressing business and civic leaders at the Chamber’s third annual energy security conference, hosted in conjunction with the American Embassy with patron sponsor Commonwealth Bank and held at the British Colonial Hilton December 13.   “We want to determine the future of the country when it comes to the energy sector and the impact the cost and quality of energy has on business and on our lives in general.”     Looking to the future, speaker after speaker recounted the need to act responsibly but independently.

It was the willingness to find their own vision and make it reality that led Shaun Ingraham and the One Eleuthera Foundation to purchase a rundown closed hotel and transform it into a training centre that has since been internationally accredited.   Sixty adult students have graduated with technical and vocational skills and certification.

With 70% unemployment in Eleuthera, we needed to find ways to stimulate the economy,” said Ingraham.   “We got a license and created a credit bureau.   We partnered with five primary schools including The Island School which is totally off the grid. We got access to the 1.5 tons of trash the schools created and began recycling.  We started to crush the glass and turn it into countertops, floors, pavements. The cans went to Nassau for Cans for Kids. The plastic we shipped back to Nassau.”

In eight years, One Eleuthera Foundation has pumped $20 million into the local economy – and done so with a shared vision, equipping dozens with badly-needed skills, providing green jobs and operating with a mission to be economically viable and environmentally friendly.

Radiologist Larry Carroll, MD, discovered how important it was to operate without waiting for government to move forward so long as you were within the law.   He did it first in organizing a group of doctors to operate a private hospital, Doctors Hospital, and more recently as he neared retirement, in building a seven room resort in Schooner Bay, Abaco.

“The vision for Schooner Bay presented to me was to have a green, sustainable village based on old village models of years ago,” said Carroll.   “The village concept was built around the harbour.   Developers preserved the natural flora and fauna, provided geothermal heating and cooling.  They built the land up so if there were a storm surge, the run-off would flow into the wetlands. We recycle all our gray matter, maintain the indigenous vegetation.”   All utilities are underground.   Nine foot ceilings allow heat to rise, reducing the need for air conditioning.   Positioning of the residences also allows for best breeze flow.

Now, Dr. Carroll is trying to unite the Schooner Bay community to tackle the difficulty with energy.   “We have an hour power cut every day.   If we can de-politicize our thinking and our discussions and get together, we could put in a solar mini-grid in Cherokee Sound and sustain that community and Schooner Bay and we would not have to wait for anyone else.   We are too dependent on government and we need to just unite and do it ourselves.”

If Family Islands are drawing the blueprints for the energy sector, one of the most interesting is the model that will be set when construction starts on Children’s Bay Cay and Williams Cay in the Exumas.   According to Project Director Michel Neutelings, every aspect of design, engineering and operations is being created to utilize the latest technology to provide the most sustainable development.

“The waters of the Exumas are among the most pristine in the world so we have to strike a very careful balance, taking into account the dire need for economic development, sustainability of the environment and wishes of the community,” said Neutelings. “We will meet with every environmental group and will listen to the community before we put a shovel in the ground.”   And when construction starts, there will be a ban on Styrofoam. 

The energy conference under the theme Eyes Wide Shut drew nearly 100 persons with the Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis addressing the luncheon and advising that the new energy regime would allow power generation including solar to tie into the grid as early as the end of January.   

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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