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FortisTCI increase DENIED by Governor

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

 

#TurksandCaicos, April 7th, 2024 – FORTISTCI will have to get an independent arbiter to help its case for a 2024 increase application following the second denial of a rate hike by a Turks and Caicos governor in seven years.

A resounding “no” came from Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, regarding the six percent increase request from the electricity company on March 29, one day before the government’s deadline to decide on the hike.

“The Government is prepared to engage in this process to ensure that any rate adjustments are not only justified but transparent and in the best interest of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Daniel-Selvaratnam said, but did not provide any detailed reasons for refusing the application.

It leaves residents in the dark about whether the increase was considered too high, too soon, unevenly distributed or any other of a myriad of possible shortcomings.

The decision from the Governor mirrors that of a 2018 request where FortisTCI had sought a 6.8 percent increase per billing cycle to help recover from losses sustained in Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  FortisTCI had specifically asked for a 5.5 percent to 5.7 percent increase in tariff of rates for residential customers and a 7.9 percent increase in tariff of rates for all other customer categories.

At the time John Freeman, then Governor of the islands, refused and provided his reasons; the two grounds were:

‘…a lack of impartial and neutral information and assessments regarding the efficiency of investments plus no ability to compare the real costs of providing electricity services and how those costs were spread onto consumers.’

The second reason Governor Freeman gave was the need to conduct a cost of service study and prudency assessment to enable an informed and reasonable decision to be made on the request.

The lack of time to properly consult with experts, because of the short six week deadline, was again cited as a point of frustration by the current government in the 2024 decision.

In 2018 FortisTCI filed an application for an arbiter to reassess the Governor’s decision. It took two years but that Independent Arbiter found that the increase was justified and the government was duty bound to grant it.

That increase came into effect on July 22, 2020.

Fortis and TCIG worked out a deal to protect all customers using less than 300kWh per month leaving them with no increase.

Similarly in 2024, if Fortis brings arbitration and wins, the government will again be duty bound to grant them the  six percent increase despite what the Governor has decided. That increase would see electricity bills rising between $2 and $15 dollars a month for customers depending on their usage, according to the power company.

Already the response from the electricity company is a double down on the fact that rates are needed it said:  ”The Company maintains that the proposed revised electric rates are necessary and warranted. FortisTCI is currently reviewing this latest development within the provisions of the rate review process and will provide further information to customers in due course.”

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Kew Town Man gets a Year in Prison for 2024 Burglary of a business

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.

On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.

The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.

A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.

Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.

Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.

“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems.  If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”

The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.

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Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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PUBLICATION OF THE 2025/2026 ELECTORS LIST

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025.  Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)

After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections.  Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5  of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.

An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7.  The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.

Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc

The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/

All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.

The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:

See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]

 

ED 1 – Grand Turk North                                           ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay

Fulford’s Gas Station                                                  IGA Supermarket

Sunny Food Store (West Road)                                  Do-it-Centre

Durham’s Home Centre                                              Sunny Foods

John Missick Bar (West Road)                                   Grand Turk Library

Shop Rite Grocery Store                                             Grand Turk International Airport

Things Galore Store (Over Back)                               DC’s Office Salt Cay

A&H Hair Supply (Over Back)                                  Community Centre (Salt Cay)

Fishermen Paradise (Over Back)                                Grand Turk Liquors

Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street)                          Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)

 

ED 3 – South Caicos                                       ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos

Airport Terminal                                                         Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar

District Commissioner’s Office                                  Community Centre, Bambarra

Seaview Marina                                                          Government Clinic, Lorimers

Super value Supermarket                                            Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek

G & H Enterprise                                                        Kevin’s Enterprise

Government Treasury                                                 Digicel Store Bottle Creek

Community Centre Kew

Community Centre Whitby

Community Centre Sandy Point

 

ED 5 – Leeward                                                          ED – 6 The Bight

Sand Castle Convenience Store                                  Ocean Club Convenience Store

TCI Ferry Service                                                       Ocean Club Convenience Store

IBO Store                                                                    Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store

Rick’s Flamingo Café                                                 Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart

Rubis Gas Station

Grace way Gourmet Supermarket

Rubis Gas Station Longbay

 

ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill                     ED – 8 Blue Hills

The Library                                                                 Keyse’s Variety Store

Grant’s Gas Station                                                     Publo Wash House

The Post Office                                                           Chicken Shack

Betty’s Store Kew Town                                            The African Store

Black’s Store Kew Town                                            Grace Variety Store

Chinson’s Grill Shack                                                 Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners

Discount Liquors                                                        G K Supermarket

Provo Discount Store                                                  Parker’s Variety Party Store

Building Material Do-It-Centre

Grace way IGA Supermarket

 

ED 9 – Five Cays                                                        ED 10 – Wheeland

Mackey’s Automotive                                                Froggies on the Beach

Kitch’s Restaurant                                                      Frank’s Store 4U

Hole in the Wall Restaurant                                       Red Zone Variety Store

Gilly’s Café International Airport

Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service

Walkin Service Station

Liz Bakery

Caicos Oil Mart

 

Lister Dudley Lewis

Supervisor of Elections

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