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The Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Rocky Mountain Institute and FortisTCI to Draft Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy

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#Providenciales, September 27, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – With a focus on building a sustainable, reliable, and least-cost energy future that takes into consideration the full scope of generating and delivering electricity in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Government (TCIG) alongside Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and FortisTCI Limited have partnered to develop the Turks and Caicos Islands Resilient National Energy Transition Strategy (R-NETS). RMI is facilitating this initiative and held a kick-off meeting with all participants on Thursday, September 13, 2018, to discuss and agree on the project timeline and objectives.

As technology continues to drive change in the electric utility industry at a rapid pace, the transition toward a smarter energy grid, with more renewable energy and energy efficient options, will require a systematic approach to new developments. The R-NETS is intended to ensure that all stakeholder needs – including customers, the government and the utility – are met as changes are implemented.  The R-NETS will also identify specific roles for TCIG, FortisTCI, developers, financial institutions, and local communities that will enable this transition toward a more sustainable energy future. Other objectives of the process include exploring viable options for producing and distributing electricity to customers across the Turks and Caicos Islands, identifying the appropriate mix of energy sources needed to meet short and long-term consumer energy needs, and ensuring that TCIG objectives are aligned with that of the electricity sector.

The R-NETS process has three phases and takes a highly collaborative approach. Phase one takes a fact-based approach and identifies the traditional and renewable energy options available for TCI, along with current costs, projected future costs, and other risk factors. Phase two takes into account the technical and financial implications and seeks to narrow the potential least-cost options further to meet the energy needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Phase three of the process will see the production of an R-NETS report and implementation plan. This report, also referred to as an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), details the technical and economic concerns of the chosen future path and any implications on customer rates, reliability, environmental sustainability and resiliency of the plan.

“We are pleased to partner with FortisTCI and the TCI Government to advance important national interests in the electricity sector. This inclusive process invites all stakeholders to have a seat at the table and work toward selecting resilient and cost-effective technology solutions, in support of advancing the shared priorities of the TCI,” said Roy Torbert, principal at RMI.

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning Hon. Goldray Ewing said, “this is a pivotal moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands energy sector, since this undertaking will chart the course and establish our energy landscape for the short, medium and long term.  This collaborative engagement could not have occurred at a more opportune time, given Cabinet’s recent approval for the drafting of legislation for the implementation of integrated resource planning for the sector.  This of course will allow for more rigid regulatory oversight and involvement in the development of the electricity sector, in alignment with the objectives of least cost generation, reliability, and environmental and economic sustainability of the sector.”

FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell said, “FortisTCI is fully committed to the R-NETS process and is looking forward to collaborating with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Rocky Mountain Institute in further developing the electricity sector in these islands. Creating a joint strategy is the right approach and serves as the first step toward modernizing the electricity sector and expanding the energy mix in ways that are beneficial to all stakeholders. This will strengthen and grow our economy.”

Public consultation meetings will be held at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex on the 3rd of October in Providenciales and at the H.J. Robinson High School Auditorium in Grand Turk on the 4th of October. RMI will lead both meetings scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.  All interested persons are encouraged to attend to learn more about the R-NETS process and expected outcomes.

 

Release: TCIG

 

 

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Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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Government

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS WEST MIDLANDS AMBULANCE SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM, UK

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Providenciales, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Health and Human Services, recently undertook a pivotal visit to the West Midlands Ambulance Service in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The visit, which took place from April 21st to April 23rd, 2024, was held under the esteemed patronage of the Ambassador of Health of the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.

Led by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE, the delegation included Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, and Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services. This strategic meeting was an integral part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency services within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During the visit, representatives from the West Midlands Ambulance Service provided comprehensive insights into their operations, sharing valuable expertise and offering collaborative initiatives for the development of the TCIs emergency services. Discussions encompassed various aspects, including training and mentoring programs tailored to empower emergency personnel within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The visit marked a significant step forward in our strategy for the advancement of emergency services,” stated Mrs. Desiree Lewis OBE. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support extended by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, and we look forward to implementing the insights gained to further enhance emergency care within our country. Permanent Secretary Lewis also expressed the Ministry of Health’s gratitude to Professor Ian Cumming for his assistance by way of arranging the visit.”

Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, Director of Emergency Medical Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, underscored the importance of the discussions, emphasizing the poignant exchange of ideas and the potential for meaningful collaborations which signifies a commitment to improving emergency services and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services expresses its sincere appreciation to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions during the visit.

For additional information, please visit the Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.

 

 

 

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TCI Court

Eight Months facing Police Accusations and Court, now Pedro Grant Exonerated

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Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

With no evidence to support their claim, the prosecution has dropped their case against Pedro Jose Alfredo Grant Gallon, the Dominican Republic citizen who was accused of impersonating an officer in September 2023.

The Police, who publicized the arrest and charge, have not yet commented on the matter despite Magnetic Media queries.

Grant, for his part, has always vehemently denied the accusations that he was impersonating an officer and described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as unfair.

He contends that on the evening of July 13, 2023, he was being followed by a strange driver, concerned, he waited until the man pulled off at a bar, then took his license plate number and called the police, but police never came to help Grant. He alleges that the next time he saw them, they came with handcuffs to arrest him. In a search, police found his IDs which included his documentation for humanitarian work with the International Diplomatic Alliance (IDA) and police lights attached to his vehicle. In explaining the possession of those lights, Grant said he told officers that they had been in his car from his time in the Dominican Republic where he was involved in law enforcement.

Since that time, Grant has maintained several facts:

  • The Police did not have a warrant to search his home and car;
  • The Police took his documents including passports and IDs, one of which was issued by the IDA, and to date have not returned them despite being court-ordered to do so;
  • The Police intimidated his wife with threats of deportation;
  • He never showed any ID, flashing lights at the man following him, or claimed to be an officer.

Police have steadfastly refused to comment on the case despite numerous queries into the bizarre circumstances, even with serious allegations like intimidation against them. Grant was officially charged with Impersonating an Officer in September but IDA Head Jerrod Crockett told Magnetic Media despite seizing documents from Grant to support their case, no one even called the organization to see if they were real or fake.

Now, when called to provide evidence to the court as to why they arrested and charged the resident, the police and DPPs office drew a complete blank as Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent, confirmed it was a lack of evidence that got the case dropped.

Despite this win serious damage has been done Grant claims, describing his life as a ‘living hell’ and ‘miserable’ since the accusations were publicized.

The IDA says it has been affected as well.

“That really put a hurt on us for the last six to eight months now because of accusations of fraudulent documents that everybody else has seen. We’re trying to prove our legitimacy now because you guys can’t verify any documents— before you put everything out there as public information,” Crockett said of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF)

The president also told our news team they had lost thousands of dollars in funding.

Following the closure of the case we reached out again to police to find out on what grounds Grant had been arrested and charged but no response was issued.

 

 

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