KINGSTON, April 12 (JIS):

eLearning Jamaica Company Limited (e-LJAM) has partnered with local educational technology company, STEAMHouse, in hosting this year’s Crea+her Girls in ICT Hackathon, which began on April 11 and will end on April 16.

The virtual hackathon seeks to empower Caribbean girls aged 13 to 18 years to become leaders and accomplished professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industry.

Chief Executive Officer of e-LJAM, Andrew Lee, said the initiative allows participants to acquire skills through a hands-on approach.

“It is imperative that we actively engage girls to participate in STEM. Historically, girls have been under-represented in this field and, of course, this deprives us of diversity. Our females are extremely talented and when we include them, we get a broader perspective,” Mr. Lee told JIS News.

e-LJAM is the State agency with responsibility for promoting integration and infusion of technology in the public education system.

Founder of STEAMHouse, Godiva Golding, told JIS News that approximately 15 teams representing groups of three to five students signed up for the hackathon.

The participants are being guided to develop innovative solutions combining themes such as telecommunications, cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, focusing on areas like education, environmental sustainability and preserving cultural heritage.

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Hackathon to empower…2

Their prototypes will be evaluated on April 18 and the top-10 creations will be presented on April 25, which is being recognised as International Girls in ICT Day under the theme ‘Leadership’.

Ms. Golding is pleased to have e-LJAM as the title sponsor for the hackathon and other events around International Girls in ICT Day.

“We could not think of a better partner than e-LJAM. They have been at the forefront and have done great work over the years. Having a partner with the leadership of Mr. Lee on board is just the icing on top to ensure that this is a successful series of events,” Ms. Golding said.

A special school tour will also be conducted. At least 500 girls are expected to benefit from this programme, which will offer interactive sessions and networking opportunities with accomplished women leaders in the technology field.

Additionally, the participants will have the chance to develop vital skills, such as public speaking, strategic thinking, and confidence-building.

CONTACT: ROCHEDA BARTLEY

Dana Malcolm 
Staff Writer 

The Multi-sector Utility Regulator Policy developed by the government is going to make utilities affordable and reliable for residents in the Turks and Caicos, at least that’s what the TCIG hopes.

Currently, in the consultation phase, when this policy is signed into law it will allow for the creation of a unified Regulatory Commission that oversees water and sewage, telecommunications, fuel, and electricity and makes sure that the monopolies or semi-monopolies that provide these services are doing so in the best interest of the residents who pay for their services.

The draft copy of the Policy lays out the specific objectives which are listed as:

• Affordability which is measured by processes and outcomes during rate hearings.
• Reliability which is measured by regulatory decisions enabling minimal service interruptions and timely service deliveries such as interconnections.
• Economic Competitiveness which is measured by decisions on rates and service delivery compared to relevant jurisdictions.
• Innovation which is measured by regulatory decisions enabling access to new technologies and business models, and finally
•  Environmental Sustainability which is measured by regulatory decisions that advance/support regulatory service providers in meeting government goals on climate change and other aspects of sustainability.

All of this is geared toward value for money and better service for TC Residents but how will the Regulatory Commission operate to achieve the aims?

Firstly it won’t be directly controlled by the government. The document explains that TCIG alone will have the power to set the legislation that regulates the sector. The Commission is then bound to follow those rules and all its decisions must be based on law. However, The Commission will be independent of the Government in the operation of its duties and responsibilities.

Some of those legally established duties include: managing utility rates and tariffs; monitoring and compliance; granting and renewing licenses and Research and Development to advance the use of new technologies.

Another requirement of the body will be transparency, to ensure that both customers and investors trust and can substantiate the decisions being made.

The Multi-sector Agency will it be able to carry out inspections if providers fail to provide necessary information, and it has the authority to ‘collaborate with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry players to support innovation’.

Importantly the agency is to be charged with ensuring decisions advance the public interest for today and the future.

Additionally, according to the draft policy, it is to have a board made up of experts in utilities who must be ‘persons of integrity’ appointed by the government. With no need for a team of experts 24/7 The Commission will have a Chief Executive Officer who will manage a small team of regulatory officers and staff which will be supported by experts on an as-
needed basis.

The government is now undertaking consultation to get thoughts and concerns from all stakeholders including residents regarding the policy and eventual setup of the Agency. The need for the Regulatory body is crucial according to Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands have witnessed unprecedented growth, bringing to the fore the urgent need for regulatory reform in our utility sector. The current challenges, including requests for rate increases and water shortages, underscore the limitations of our existing regulatory framework to effectively manage and mitigate such issues,” he said

The consultation will run until May 24, 2024.

Dana Malcolm 
Staff Writer

Edvin Martin, Police Commissioner Designate, will be in the Turks and Caicos earlier than expected; previously booked for May, his arrival is now set for April 22 and is paired with news of the departure of Chris Eyre, Interim Acting Commissioner.

Eyre was supposed to hold the fort until May allowing Martin to recover from health issues.

Eyre’s exit, announced by Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, on April 8th,  comes just under two months after his arrival and leaves local Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams back in charge. The Governor did not say whether his contract had expired, he had been fired or he resigned, only indicating Eyre was no longer in the position.

Eyre was brought in by the Governor and Washington Misick, TCI Premier, after a series of killings in February 2024, relieving Adams of the acting post.

Following his appointment, his time in the Turks and Caicos was marked with two murders and a spate of armed robberies that the force couldn’t quite get under control and that seems to be continuing. On the weekend preceding the announcement of his exit, there were two car thefts and one robbery.

For some residents, Eyre’s quick exit and the criminal activity recorded during his tenure are proof that bringing in a ‘foreign’ cop had little effect on crime, and making his controversial hiring a glaring mistake. For others, the blame isn’t fair, as they say, crime is too much for one person to take on. The governor, for her part, expressed gratitude to Eyre for his leadership in the interim position.

As for the incoming Martin, once again the Governor highlighted his strong leadership and regional operational experience as a former top cop in Grenada.

“Mr Martin is eager to arrive with his family to serve the Turks and Caicos Islands and deliver on his safety and security responsibilities to all residents and visitors across our islands,” Daniel-Selvaratnam said.

The press release indicated that, over the past few months, as part of his induction, he has been engaged with the Governor, Interim Acting Commissioner Eyre, members of the Force Executive, and regional colleagues.

Martin will arrive with several priority projects demanding his attention, including border security, internal gang infighting, and armed robberies.