News
FortisTCI hosts Third Annual Youth Energy Roundtable
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (Friday, August 25, 2023) – FortisTCI hosted its third annual Youth Energy Roundtable on Thursday, August 17, 2023, showcasing the brilliance and critical thinking skills of
seven college and university students enrolled in the company’s Student Summer Employment Program (SSEP).
The event marked another milestone in FortisTCI’s unwavering commitment to empowering the youth to participate in discussions about the future of energy and championing innovative thinking within the energy sector.
This year’s roundtable was held at the Company’s headquarters in Providenciales under the theme, “Youth as Change Agents.” The seven student panelists presented well-researched findings and eloquently articulated perspectives on topics related to the energy transition.
In the first segment of the program, student panelists Evadne Gardiner, Abi-Gaye Miller, Giovanni Astwood, and Jonathan Robinson led the conversation on ‘The Energy Workforce of the Future,’ with insightful support from
FortisTCI energy experts. The company’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Devon Cox, Director of People and Culture, Environment, Health, and Safety, Marcus Francis, Vice President of Finance, Corporate Services and CFO, Aisha Laporte, and Manager of Learning and Development, Robyn Forbes served on the panel discussions. The topics focused on ‘Future-proof skills for the Energy Sector’ and also highlighted the importance of generational diversity within the industry.
The second segment featured SSEP panelists Danyielle Worgs, Avri Forbes, and Saphina Blaise, whose contributions delved into sustainable solutions to modernize the grid,’ with a particular focus on ‘Battery Energy Storage Technology,’ and ‘The Role of Youth in a Just Energy Transition’. These student panelists shared the stage with FortisTCI Vice President of Innovation, Technology, and Strategic Planning, Rachell Roullet, Manager of
Engineering and Substation Operations Maintenance, Hortnel Johnson, Director of Legal Services, Compliance and Assistant Company Secretary, Alexandria Missick, and Director of Energy Production, Alvejes Desir.
Her Excellency, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, was also in attendance, along with Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, and Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Transportation, Hon. Otis Morris. Commenting on the students’ performance at the event, Hon. Morris stated: “The future of Turks and Caicos is surely bright. It is refreshing to see so many young students showcasing their talent and capability to be part of the energy conversation. These students are indeed change agents, and we look forward to the change they will bring
about for the sustainable energy future of the TCI for generations to come.” Hon. Morris also commended FortisTCI for investing in the country’s youth and providing them with opportunities through the FortisTCI SSEP program and the roundtable event.
FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes reinforced the purpose of the event, which was developed in 2021 as a capstone project to enhance the Company’s summer employment program and get students involved in discussions about the future of energy in the TCI. During her remarks, she stated: “We believe in the value these young people bring to the table. We know they are keen to make meaningful contributions, with the right opportunities. We believe in their capacity to challenge the status quo, speak up, and stand out when it matters. We believe in their power to effect change. We believe that the time is
always right to do right by our youth and give them the opportunities to shine. That is what the roundtable is about.”
The third annual Youth Energy Roundtable builds upon the success of previous years and reaffirms FortisTCI’s reputation as a leader in nurturing innovation, empowerment, and collaboration with the youth.
Photo Captions:
- Header: L-R: FortisTCI Vice President of Innovation, Technology, and Strategic Planning, Rachell Roullet, FortisTCI Vice President of Finance, Corporate Services and CFO, Aisha Laporte, SSEP panelists Jonathan Robinson, Giovanni Astwood, Evadne Gardiner, Saphina Blaise, FortisTCI President and CEO, Ruth Forbes, Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Transportation, Hon. Otis Morris, SSEP panelists Abi-Gaye Miller, Avri Forbes, Danyielle Worgs, and FortisTCI Senior Vice President of Operations, Devon Cox.
- 1st insert: L-R: FortisTCI Director of People and Culture, and EHS, Marcus Francis, SSEP panelists Abi-Gaye Miller, Evadne Gardiner, FortisTCI Senior Vice President of Operations, Devon Cox and People and Culture Coordinator, Levenia Bishop.
- 2nd insert:: L-R: Elected Member of Parliament, Hon. Randy Howell, FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes, and husband, Keno Forbes, Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Transportation, Hon. Otis Morris, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, and Her Excellency, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam.
- 3rd insert: L-R: FortisTCI Vice President of Finance, Corporate Services and CFO Aisha Laporte, SSEP panelists Jonathan Robinson, Giovanni Astwood, and FortisTCI Manager of Learning and Development Robyn Forbes.
- 4th insert: L-R: FortisTCI Vice President of Innovation, Technology and Strategic Planning Rachell Roullet, SSEP panelists Danyielle Worgs, Avri Forbes, FortisTCI Manager of Engineering and Substation Operations Maintenance Hortnel Johnson, and Moderator Romello Williams.
- 5th insert: L-R: FortisTCI Director of Energy Production Alvejes Desir, SSEP panelist Saphina Blaise, FortisTCI Director of Legal Services, Compliance and Assistant Company Secretary Alexandria Missick and FortisTCI Senior Human Resource Officer Wisland Toussaint.
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?
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
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