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Change Needs to Consider all stakeholders for energy transition – Chipungu admonishes at TCI Energy Forum 

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, July 2, 2023 – In its bid to bring clean energy to the country, the Government must take care not to exclude stakeholders, both large and small or the process could end in failure. That was the underpinning message from Farayi Chipungu, Lecturer at Harvard Law School as she delivered her keynote speech on adaptive leadership at the TCI Energy Forum on June 2nd.

While emphasizing the importance of expert communication, she stressed that this transition needed input from all around because of its nature as an adaptive problem.

“Just starting with the nature of the problem, quite often people have either never seen the challenge before or some people can see the challenge and others can’t, so we can’t even agree about the fact that there is a problem in the first place,” she said using climate change as an example.

Despite the obvious effects of climate change, many large companies, and even countries continue to deny the depth of the issue, slowing down work towards a solution.

Chipungu said the implications of these types of complex problems was that the solutions also tended to be murky.

“The work when the challenge is adaptive is not just with experts, because when challenges are adaptive, you can’t take the challenge off people’s shoulders.  The people with the problem tend to be a part of the challenge, but they also tend to be the solution.”

She stressed too that tangible change had to be seen in those affected by the problem, and to do this they had to be involved in the search for a fix.

“You can have all the expertise in the world, but if the people with the problem can’t get involved then the problem is not going to be fixed.”

Another example of an adoptive challenge she says, was COVID-19, where while experts knew what to do to save lives and shared the information, residents had a great burden of responsibility to keep themselves safe and to keep others safe with their own actions.

“A management consulting firm can fly on this island and give you a wonderful 50 page deck on what a clean energy transition could look like— a governor or a minister or a premier can give a directive to say these are the five steps that we need to follow or a CEO can say we need to collaborate more effectively— but of course, you don’t really have a solution until it’s lived in the hearts and minds of all the people up and down the value chain.”

She stressed that while change appears to be difficult, people make changes that they believe are good for them, tending to avoid loss. She encouraged though, that there is some level of loss in every change, and in order to get to the sweet benefits, residents and companies must decide what losses they are willing to absorb.

She had advice for the Government and large companies on how to mitigate this.

“[If] we move in a way that doesn’t acknowledge the loss and pain that people feel then they push back— but if you’re able to acknowledge and see that loss, you can think about how much you can cushion it to make it easier for people.” She continued, “in this change, there will be losses in terms of financial losses, money, jobs, power, there’s going to be all kinds of changes and losses, and in this conversation if we’re not able to talk to those things, then it’s very unlikely that we will be able to achieve any meaningful or sustainable change.”

Anchoring change around the people it affects the most, for example, the residence of the Turks and Caicos, allow those leading the change to not only see aspects of change like speed and the size of investment, much clearer, but to make that change much smoother for both large companies and the small man.

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InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group 

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

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Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

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#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE  BRISCO, 30,  of  Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

  • One Count: Robbery
  • One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
  • One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

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Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged  

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#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

  • One Count: Robbery;
  • One Count: Gang Membership
  • One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
  • One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.

  • One Count: Possession of a Firearm
  • One Count: Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count: Unlawful Entry

Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of  Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY. 

The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.

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