News
Fairness Needed! Consumer Demand Outpacing supply in TCI
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 20, 2024 – The boom in tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands, while excellent for the economy, is exposing the need for urgent infrastructural upgrades in order to cope more competently and more equitably with the increased demand; already two of the country’s key utilities are showing signs of strain.
Over the weekend multiple residents called the news team complaining that they were without an essential resource, water, and now nightly restrictions are being introduced. 
On March 18, Provo Water Company revealed nightly lock-offs would begin, without which they say there simply wouldn’t be enough water to go around.
“In light of the exceptionally high demand experienced from now until the end of April 2024, we have reluctantly implemented nightly water restrictions from 9:30 PM to 6:00 AM to replenish the Suzie Turn tank, which caters to two-thirds of the Island’s water needs. This measure is crucial to ensure sufficient water availability for the following day’s requirements,” the company said in an emailed letter to consumers.
Holding a 65-year government contract, Provo Water is the older and more extensive provider of the two local water services currently in operation in the Turks and Caicos, the other being Leeward Water Services. It’s now telling customers they should consider backup water drums to make up the 9-hour gap where water will be turned off. In tandem with the lock-offs are necessary maintenance runs.
Residents say they had already been experiencing disruptions prior to the announcement; the news team was flooded with comments including:
“Water pressure terrible over here in Belglade,” another resident said, “The water problem has been worse lately. Even the hotels are having issues now.”
Residents reported low water pressure to total water loss in their homes all across Providenciales, issues the company has warned could occur.
Tourists are similarly affected and with air arrivals up six percent in January and 13 percent in February according to statistics released this week by Experience Turks and Caicos; long stay visitors numbered over 126,000 guests for the first two months of this year. This figure would add to the resident population.
Melissa Monko, a guest, posted in the Facebook Group ‘Turks and Caicos Tourist Guide,’ that her Turtle Cove getaway was out of water, sharing the notice from Provo Water Company.
“It was off in the mornings and afternoons for several days. Seems they have a plan in place now,” she said.
The utility company says it recognizes the inconvenience caused and is now engaged in expansions across Providenciales to alleviate the problem. Cited as fixes from are, new transmission mains to be completed by May, valve replacements, to be completed by September, and a new desalination plant.
The Energy and Utilities Commission has been in consistent dialogue with the water company and after carrying out their own assessment, have found the lock-offs necessary. It now says the EUD is supportive of the plans to increase capacity, but are warning that they will be carrying out strict oversight to make sure the measures are not only effective but do not come at the undue cost of residents.
“The EUD has maintained open lines of communication with PWC, thoroughly discussing the immediate challenges, the anticipated increase in demand, and the company’s strategic mitigation plan,” said Delano Arthur, Energy & Utilities Commissioner who added, “It is our priority to ensure that these necessary infrastructure upgrades and expansions are executed in a manner that balances reliability, sustainability, and affordability for all residents and businesses in Providenciales.”
Also looking to expand its services is the Turks and Caicos’ sole power company, but in that effort, there is a proposed increase in the electricity rate. An application for the increase has already been lodged by FortisTCI.
”Over the past few years, the Turks and Caicos economy has experienced robust economic growth. This has led to increased demand for electricity. The rising demand requires expansion to the electricity system to ensure continued reliable service to our customers. This, together with high inflation and rising interest costs, are the primary reasons for the electricity rates review,” FortisTCI shared with the public.
That rate increase is currently under review by the government, and in an effort to better regulate all utilities, TCIG is in the process of introducing a draft policy for Public Utility Regulatory Reform, which it hopes will guide the provision of higher-quality services.
It’s another significant indicator that the sheer number of people travelling in and out of the British overseas territory and new people coming in to add to the labour force is overwhelming to the current infrastructure.
Regarding travel, the Providenciales International Airport is another, possibly the most glaring, example of just how interest and intrigue are growing more quickly than infrastructural development.
On March 16, two days before the water restriction announcement and three days after the electricity rate increase application was
disclosed, over 10,000 guests were scheduled to pass through the airport. However, the Providenciales International was unable to manage the record-setting passenger demand. With flights unable to land, it forced delays and cancellations and resulted in 528 guests having to overnight in the destination which had little to no rooms available.
No industry is being spared the crush, banking is also affected. During an attempt at digitization, several banks shut their doors replacing teller services with full-service Automated Banking Machines. Unfortunately, residents and tourists report that the ABMs are usually low on cash and often out of service making it difficult to access their money.
The government has also recognized that the current roads are unsustainable, single routes lead to some of the most important infrastructure like airports, causing chaos whenever there are disruptions. A new consultation is being undertaken to find out how best to rework the country’s road network to manage the explosion of motor vehicles and the traffic congestion it is creating.
Now that the bi-partisan Vision 2040 document is launched by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, it may more clearly chart the way forward in identifying trends, predicting demands and instituting commonsense plans which result in an island nation ready to embrace the growth it is gunning for.
Until there is deeper consideration, there will remain an unfair burden on the consumer who – often without compensation – is left to withstand or wilt under the weight of any failure to forecast, that includes all of the fumbles and fouls that go along with it.
Bahamas News
Freeport Business Expo to connect Grand Bahama businesses and entrepreneurs to expert resources
Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited
April 29, 2024 – Freeport, The Bahamas – In line with its mission to create a stronger, more connected Freeport economy, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is pleased to share details of the upcoming Freeport Business Expo: Tourism Edition, taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at the Grand Lucayan Convention Center in Grand Bahama.
“As the GBPA continues its work to attract investors to Freeport, we offer this showcase of local and international businesses offering services and opportunities to potential and existing licensees,” stated Ian Rolle, GBPA President. “This Expo will not only connect unique international service providers with Bahamian entrepreneurs aiming to introduce new tourist attractions, but also bring together financing institutions to support Bahamian-owned start-ups and existing businesses in the industry.”
The emphasis on tourism at the 2024 Expo ensures that those in tourism-focused businesses are certain to benefit. The event will offer opportunities to meet potential business partners, gain insight on financial opportunities, engage with leaders in workshops and one-
on-one sessions, and get answers on starting a Freeport business and obtaining a GBPA license.
“We regularly host community business expos,” said Glendia Sweeting, Manager of Quality Assurance and Special Projects. “But we recognize the significant benefit of an expo focused on enhancing tourism business offerings through connecting international service providers and Bahamian entrepreneurs. We have more than thirty local and national exhibitors taking part on May 2nd, along with several international service providers.”
Multiple investment projects currently in progress and planned in the city of Freeport is creating anticipation for existing and potential entrepreneurs and this expo is geared towards preparing them for these opportunities. “Grand Bahama is going to experience a significant growth spurt in the next one to three years. I would strongly encourage everybody who wants to get involved in business to look at Grand Bahama as one of the top choices, especially over the next three years,” said Mr. Rolle.
The Expo opens on Wednesday, May 1st with a welcome reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A full day of learning and networking opportunities follows on Thursday, May 2nd. GBPA’s partners in the Freeport Business Expo include:
- Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board
- Ministry for Grand Bahama
- Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce
- Ministry of Tourism
- Bahamas Immigration
- Bahamas Customs
- Five Star Shipping Company
- Viva Wyndham Fortuna
- Bahamas Air
- Grand Lucayan Hotel
Registration for access to the Expo’s exhibitors is free, and all-access passes are available for purchase. Event details and registration information may be found at freeportbusinessexpo.com.
Bahamas News
Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement Signed between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province.
The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama represented The Bahamas at the signing.
His Excellency Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Yang Peiran, Interpreter represented the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Moxey explained that in February 2022, she and the former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dai Qingli began discussion on the establishment of a province-island relationship between Hunan Province and Grand Bahama Island because of their “immense synergy”.
“Hunan has a vibrant creative industry and its capital city, Changsha is known as the entertainment capital of China, whilst Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of entertainment in ‘Our Bluepoint for Change’.”
She said Hunan Province boasts 11 industrial sectors and Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of The Bahamas. Further, innovation driven development has been a new driving force for Hunan, while Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of innovation for The Bahamas.
Minister Moxey said she is confident that an exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture will happen between the residents of Hunan Province and Grand Bahama.
“There is potential for robust trade in various sectors, opportunities for tourism promotion and intercultural appreciation, exchanges to support performing arts programs on our island, foster growth within the Orange Economy, and tap into China’s innovation, technology and vast expertise.”
She said that the formal signing aligns with the mission of Sister Cities International, which is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one community at a time.
The Minister said, “Through collaborative programs and initiatives, this connection will support the government’s vision to diversity Grand Bahama’s economy to become the Home of Maritime and Logistics, Home of Events and Entertainment and Home of Innovation.”
She noted that in addition to signing the agreement, she looks forward to Grand Bahama residents benefitting from the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Central South University and University of The Bahamas (UB), which will expand educational and technical cooperation between the two universities. The northern campus of UB is located in Grand Bahama.
His Excellency Mao Weiming said although geographically far apart, China and The Bahamas are friends with mutual respect and understanding as well as sincerity.
He explained that 27 years ago, both countries established diplomatic relations and China and The Bahamas have deepened their cooperation, strengthened their friendship and carried out many activities in the field of economy, trade and people-to-people exchange.
His Excellency recalled that in August 2022, he and Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis had a video conference where they both reached a consensus to cooperate in order to usher a new chapter in the relationship between Hunan and The Bahamas.
“Today, we are here to sign a sister-to-sister relationship between Hunan and Grand Bahama. It is [a] concrete move to implement
our consensus reached before and also to embark on a new journey of friendly exchanges.”
He added, “By establishing the relationship of sister cities, I believe the two sides will develop further in terms of economic and trade cooperation, people to people exchange, as well as friendship, and we will embrace new opportunities and deliver concrete benefits for the two peoples.”
He explained that Hunan, which is the home town of Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, has developed very advanced industries of manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture as well as tourism.
His Excellency said he believes that Hunan and Grand Bahama enjoy very broad room for cooperation.
He said, “More efforts should be made to conduct cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, culture, education and the film industry so as to realize a connectivity between our two sides in terms of logistics and the platform cooperation; so as to deliver concrete benefits for the people and to make our due contribution to the bilateral relationship between China and The Bahamas.”
PHOTO CAPTION
A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province. The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Shown from left: Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Peiran, Interpreter H.E. Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim to increase food security for The Bahamas.
The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,
Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.
“I had the privilege to listen to the presentations and review presentations that touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors that we have each year,” he said.
“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”
Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate. Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,” she said.
“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors when this amazing renovation is done.”
Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.
“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.
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