News
Change Needs to Consider all stakeholders for energy transition – Chipungu admonishes at TCI Energy Forum
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.
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY & UTILITIES
May 8th, 2024 – The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 2024 concluded last week in Miami, marking another milestone in advancing the region’s energy agenda. This year’s forum, held from April 24-27, at the JW Marquis Hotel in downtown Miami, attracted some of the most distinguished names and advocates in the field of renewable energy.
The delegation from The Turks and Caicos Islands led by Hon. Kyle Knowles of the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities included Permanent Secretary Mrs. Bridgette Newman, Energy and Utilities Commissioner Mr. Delano R. Arthur, Energy Analyst Dr. Eric F. Salamanca, Senior Legal Drafter Ms. Priscilla Paquette, and Executive Administrator Ms. Jasmine Malcolm.
Hon. Knowles was among the high-caliber panelists in the session called “Caribbean Leadership: Delivering on the Vision” where he highlighted the policy directions of TCI government towards transitioning to renewable energy. Hon. Knowles served as a panelist, discussing the transformative strategies required to integrate renewable technologies across the Inland territory, Turks and Caicos Islands (a UK Overseas Territory Caribbean). His insights on policy enhancements and infrastructural development were met with high interest and acclaim, underscoring his pivotal role in shaping the energy landscape.
Commissioner Delano R. Arthur, a key transformative leader in the energy sector, presented a compelling paper titled “Renewable Energy and Resource Bill for the Turks and Caicos Islands.” His presentation highlighted the legal framework for transition
to renewable energy, interconnection agreement, licensing among others. He also emphasizes the use of mature commercial technology, rather than emerging technologies that have not been proven in commercial scale. He also presented an approach to overcoming logistical and financial challenges in TCI. Com. Arthur’s pragmatic and innovative solutions offered a visionary perspective that resonated with the attendees.
Dr. Salamanca, and Atty. Paquette, also contributed to a roundtable discussion on Regulatory Framework led by the Caribbean Development Banks’ Mr. Joseph Williams and Mr. William Hinds, each bringing unique viewpoints and solutions to the challenges facing the TCI energy sector.
The attendance at year’s CREF also provided opportunity to establish networks. Among the most notable side event meeting was with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) where the TCI delegates discussed various projects in support of transition to green/renewable energy in the Turks and Caicos Island.
Commenting on his first CREF, the Hon Minister noted, “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the
Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) held in Miami, Florida. The Forum provided a valuable platform for discussions on the advancement of renewable energy solutions in the Caribbean region.
During the event, I engaged with key stakeholders, industry experts and government officials to exchange ideas on strategies to promote sustainable energy development. Renewable energy plays a crucial role in enhancing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering economic growth in our region.
He concluded, “I am committed to working collaboratively with partners both regionally and globally to further renewable energy initiatives and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future. Our participation in events such as CREF our underscores our dedication to advancing clean energy solutions and building a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape for the benefit of our citizens.”
News
DTR AND DECR HOST STAKEHOLDERS MEETING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO IMPROVE COVERAGE FOR JETSKI OPERATORS
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND COASTAL RESOURCES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th May 2024 – The Department of Tourism Regulations aims to bridge the gap between insurance companies and water sports operators struggling to acquire adequate business insurance. The goal is to create a robust and sustainable tourism product that ensures safety and reliability for all stakeholders. On April 30, 2024, the DTR hosted a meeting with four insurance companies to address concerns regarding liability risks, enhance coverage options, and explore avenues
to bolster safety measures through comprehensive insurance provisions
The meeting involved key representatives from prominent insurance companies, namely from ‘NW Hamilton’: Elianise Rigby and Jewel Ewing; ‘JS Johnson’: Queen Been; ‘CSC Insurance’: Alicia Palmer; and GK Insurance: Marie Beckford. Government officials present from DTR: Director Avi Adams, Deputy Director Talia Thomas, Regulation Development Specialist Sasha Arthur, Quality Assurance Officer Donessia Gardiner, Communication Officer Alique Harvey, and DECR’s Deputy Director Jatavia Howell, as well as Experience Turks and Caicos representative Strategic Development Manager Courtney Robinson, to develop tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of Jetski operators within the local tourism landscape.
Currently, insurance options for Jetski owners in the Turks and Caicos Islands are limited, posing challenges for operators and regulators. Through collaborative efforts with insurance providers, the DTR is committed to expanding coverage options and streamlining insurance processes to promote compliance and enhance safety standards across the industry.
“The Department of Tourism regulations is in charge of ensuring that the tourism product of the Turks and Caicos Islands is robust and sustainable. Upon setting regulations, we realize that some companies, local companies struggle with obtaining insurance,” said Avi Adams, Director at the Department of Tourism Regulations. “Our department, along with the DECR and the TCIG at large, is on a mission to bridge that gap to ensure that local vendors can obtain the insurance that is needed to offer a tourism product that can be
safe and reliable, while also helping to mitigate some of the risks that insurance companies may have challenges with.”
Remarking on the proceedings of the meeting, Queen Been of J.S Johnson Insurance said “I am grateful to the Department of Tourism regulations in the TCI for hosting a timely, informative presentation on enacting laws for best practices for water sports and other tourism businesses. This will be of interest to all stakeholders, and the safety of our guests. Thank you for the opportunity to attend and lend my voice to encourage responsible management of our tourism product by all.”
The meeting outcome will inform the DTR’s ongoing efforts to implement regulatory measures that prioritize safety without stifling the growth of recreational activities vital to the local tourism sector. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders, the department remains steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling its promises and fostering a climate of trust, transparency, and accountability within the industry.
News
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT REGARDING RECENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AIRPORTS AND SCHOOLS
May 6th, 2024 – As co-chairs of the National Security Council, Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier condemn strongly recent threats made against Turks and Caicos Islands airports and schools.
We have zero tolerance for these disruptions and the alarm that they cause. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) continues to work closely with partner agencies and will keep the public updated as we manage the situation.
The National Security Council wishes to reassure residents, travellers and parents that the safety and security of our Islands is its highest priority.
All appropriate measures are being taken to address these threats and all required security protocols are being followed.
The Airports Authority and the Ministry of Education, with school principals are collaborating with the RTCIPF investigations.
We encourage the public to be extra vigilant against phishing and malicious emails and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
We appreciate the understanding of the public as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our airports, schools and communities.
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