Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, December 5, 2023 – For a second year, criminal activity has had a direct effect on the long-awaited Turks and Caicos Islands Census causing delays, particularly in densely populated communities of Providenciales.

“Providenciales, facing distinctive challenges due to its transient population, periodic serious crimes, and logistical difficulties, reports a completion rate slightly below fifty percent, explained Shirlen Forbes.  Chief Statistician in the Department in response to Magnetic Media.

Forbes went on to detail the issues in the November 27 update to our news organization.

“Multiple factors, including crime, contribute to the low completion rate on Providenciales. Enumerators face safety risks in certain areas with higher crime incidence, creating an atmosphere of insecurity and fear among residents. This has led to hesitations in visiting specific areas or households during periodic surges in violent crime, affecting the overall completion rate.”

The disheartening report emerges following a presentation at Cabinet.

Residents had suspected the unforgiving nature of the criminal element in the Turks and Caicos, known to shoot into crowds, recklessly and callously in an effort to hit their true target had created an unsafe environment.  This unchecked violence has stymied the collection of the much needed information.

In order to fix it the Department admits it needs more time, resources and new strategies.

“It’s essential to recognize that extension to the data collection period is not unique to the Turks and Caicos Islands, as other countries in the region, despite having richer census-taking histories and more resources, have faced similar challenges.”

As for the other islands the prognosis is much better.

Middle Caicos and Salt Cay with their significantly smaller populations and almost crime-free communities stand out with a 100 percent completion rate.  Still, the Department wants more refined data on these islands.

Grand Turk, South Caicos, and North Caicos all have completion rates exceeding 85 percent said Mr. Forbes.  The goal for these islands is to conclude the census by December 2023.

As for Parrot Cay, Pine Cay, Ambergris Cay and West Caicos, which are mainly resort islands, the completion is expected within the next two weeks,

Chief Statistician, Shirlen Forbes said while the progress on all islands outside of Providenciales is commendable, his office is also hoping to funnel quality data to the government

“While completion rates signify progress, the importance of data quality cannot be overstated. High completion rates don’t guarantee accurate data if the collection is rushed or incomplete. Ensuring data accuracy and quality is imperative for the overall success of the census.”

#TurksandCaicos, December 5, 2023 – FortisTCI is closely monitoring the impact of external shocks on market fuel prices, which continue to cause increases in the fuel factor rate and result in higher electricity bills. Higher global demand for fuel along with production cuts by leading oil producing countries have caused an increase in market prices, according to J.P. Morgan. While it is difficult to forecast far in advance precisely how prices will change, new projections from our fuel supplier indicate that fuel prices will continue to rise over the next several weeks. As a result, the fuel factor rate on November’s electricity bills increased by up to 10% across some service territories.

The fuel factor rate on customer electricity bills changes with average market fuel prices. Prior to this upswing in prices, fuel factor rates were more stable this year, falling nearly 40% across most service territories between February and September. This downward trend was contrasted by high energy demand during the summer as outside temperatures reached record-breaking levels.

The fuel factor rate on electricity bills is charged for every kilowatt hour of electricity used. When the fuel factor rate increases and a customer’s energy consumption increases, their electricity bill will be higher. Similarly, if both decrease, their electricity bill will be lower. If one increases but the other decreases, this will have a more balancing effect. If the customer consumes the same kilowatt hours of electricity, but their electricity bill has increased, the fuel factor rate has likely risen.

FortisTCI understands the challenges associated with higher electricity bills and is committed to diversifying how energy is produced and supporting customers during this time. The Company continues to advocate for suitably tailored, holistic utility sector regulatory reform, and continues to integrate alternative energy sources to the grid through roof-top solar systems and solar-powered microgrids with battery energy storage technology. These projects help to increase the amount of renewable energy on the grid, reduce the impact of global fuel price shocks on local energy costs over time, and lower carbon emissions.

Changes in the fuel factor rate can be tracked by comparing electricity bills. Notices regarding these changes are also issued monthly via email, social media, and other mainstream channels. Customers can also view their daily energy usage data via the Company’s free customer portal at www.myftcionline.com.

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TheBahamas, December 2, 2023 – The golden ribbon is cut and the Nassau-based Turks & Caicos diaspora office is officially unveiled. The opening ceremony, held at the new office, was attended by high-level delegates including Washington Misick, TCI Premier.

“I’m very proud and very privileged to be able to stand here and speak to you and I would especially like to thank someone who has become a friend in the person of the honorable Prime Minister of The Bahamas,” he said.

Bahamian support was critical in the venture, which sprung up as an answer to the TCIs desperate employment and immigration crisis. With hundreds of vacancies open across the public and private sector, and no one to fill them, the country needed more people but immigration rates were already far too high, posing a risk of disenfranchisement of islanders.

In order to fix both issues the government introduced a migration scheme allowing third-generation islanders with bloodline connections to claim citizenship. They quickly partnered with The Bahamas, one of the closest and the largest parts of its diaspora

Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas was on hand while the Premier spoke and also brought remarks. The strong bond between the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas was emphasized by Davis, as he spoke

“The Turks and Caicos’s islands were part of the Bahamas, they even had a representative in our parliament. We were one nation,” he said.

Bahamian parliament has been supportive of the diaspora plan, which could see TCI-Bahamians migrating away from the Bahamas and into the Turks and Caicos, since its inception in early 2023.

The colors of the Turks and Caicos islands were on proud display in the newly office. Attendees were allowed to tour the building during the Grand Opening on November 28th.

Bright white and modern meeting areas with turquoise accents and TCI logos will be the backdrop for immigration negotiations

Also present at the event, a strong proponent of the grafting in third generation plan, Immigration Minister Arlington Musgrove, and Deputy Governor Anya Williams. The officials have now concretized a journey they started together in February when the idea of a Diaspora office was announced.

The office is the first of its kind established by the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is located on the 2nd Floor of The Bahamas Financial Center, Shirley and Charlotte Streets.