TCI News
Destiny is calling says TCI Chevening Scholar
Grand Turk, November 16, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – TCI’s 2018/2019 Chevening Scholar, Ms. Chandra Craigg has returned to the Turks & Caicos after completing a successful year of study in the UK, where she studied a Master’s Degree in MSc in Marketing and Digital strategy at Leeds Beckett University.
The Chevening Programme is a highly regarded globally, and Chandra joins one of the prestigious global education and professional networks by becoming a Chevening Alum. In recognition of her successful completion of her Chevening year, His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Dakin, recently presented Chandra her Chevening completion certificate.
Speaking after meeting with Chandra, Governor Dakin said: “It was a pleasure to meet Chandra and congratulate her on her successful completion of her studies. Our intention with these scholarships is to help build Turks & Caicos future through the development of its most talented people. As Governor, I encourage persons to apply for these prestigious and valuable scholarships”.
Chandra commented: “I’m looking forward to using what I’ve learned in my digital marketing course in my business, Outside the Box Advertising, and starting new ventures. I know that there are some amazing things I can bring to business in the TCI. To persons who are on the fence about Chevening and studying in the UK, I say ask yourself, what do you have to lose? And look at all you have to gain. We’ve had scholars who were parents, married, and gainfully employed. If there’s a voice inside of you telling you it’s a good idea then you better listen. That’s your destiny calling”.
Chevening applications for the 2019/2020 intake are now closed but to be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship, an applicant must:
– Be a citizen of the Turks & Caicos Islands and intend to return home after their studies;
– Hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to an undergraduate degree in the UK;
– Have completed at least two years’ work or equivalent experience before applying for a Chevening Scholarship;
– Be able to meet the Chevening minimum English language requirement;
– Be able to obtain the correct visa, and receive an unconditional offer from a UK university.
Further details of the application process are available at www.chevening.org/apply.
Release: Governor’s Office
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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