TCI News
Nigel, the abnormal; New TCI governor is a trail blazer
#Providenciales, August 2, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The new governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands is already defying the status quo as far as what residents of these islands have come to expect of Her Majesty’s representative within the territory.
While it is true, Governor Nigel Dakin, has embraced the traditions of becoming governor and has studied what it requires in his constitutional role of governor; His Excellency is more the exception than the rule when it comes to how he will actually execute.
We are told stories of a man who is, after only two and a half weeks on the job, considered legendary in his approach to nagging pressure points within the Turks and Caicos. Yet there is nothing cavalier about his dealings. Governor Dakin is described as sincere.
Some are cautiously optimistic as they begin to speak about the man but the kudos become less and less guarded and from the commentary emerges something quite uncommon for many islanders… hope.
A governor who invites a soon-to-be, ex-inmate to pay him a visit at his office for a ‘heart to heart’ talk about a future free of a life of crime tends to make a strong impression.
You could see it was captivating; the conversation being had between the governor and several inmates at the prison as they sat around a table. The group of men appeared to be taking notes and were seemingly engrossed in a talk, which Magnetic Media is told, was ‘real and productive’.
There was a true desire to know the challenges, to get to the bottom of the problems and an honesty about what is expected of everyone who lives and works at the beleaguered correctional facility.
Even the former ‘hunger-strike’ protestor was invited and heard.
Never has a governor or recent leader of the country held this sort of forum with inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison, we are informed. But if the letters, authored by inmates to country leaders and given to Governor Nigel Dakin arrive safely at their destination and if the messages contained within those letters are given consideration, then perhaps there will be a change in that trend and a change at the HMP.
The Governor is married to an island girl and media, in a candid conference with His Excellency, had a chance to meet Barbados-born, Amanda Dakin. Already, Mrs. Dakin is assiduously working as an environmental volunteer and she has now visited four islands within the TCI archipelago since her husband took office.
The meeting, held at the Governor’s Office in Providenciales on Wednesday July 31, 2019 went overtime and was excellent. Attendees, representing six media enterprises embraced the idea of there being more sessions to come and regularly.
Magnetic Media learned a lot including that His Excellency is a man who wants to set a positive tone during his time in Turks and Caicos. Mr. Dakin is also a man who is not fearful of possible failure or fallout as he believes his big picture story will leave a lasting impression. The new governor, from what we gathered in that meeting, believes in data driven decisions; strategy on areas of the most importance, is firm that one must go toward problems in order to solve them and is methodical in his understanding of how to work with the people, connect with the people and to celebrate people.
Nigel, the abnormal is already making history in his story as the new governor and from where I sit as an enthusiastic citizen and resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands; I look forward to the next chapter and a happy ending.
#magneticmedianews
#nigeltheabnormal
#newtcigovernoratrailblazer
Photo Credit: Governor’s Office
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?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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