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FortisTCI Commissions New Fuel Pipeline in Grand Turk

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#TurksandCaicos, February 25, 2021 – FortisTCI announces the completion and commissioning of a 1,500-foot fuel pipeline that transfers fuel from tankers to generate and deliver electricity in the nation’s capital Grand Turk. The new fuel pipeline is one of the company’s most recent major capital projects costing approximately $750,000 to replace an aging installation believed to be more than 30 years old. 

The old pipeline was decommissioned in 2019, during which time fuel had to be carefully transferred above ground under the guidance of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR). Construction for the new pipeline commenced in 2020 and had minor delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. The facility enables FortisTCI to receive fuel safely and with minimal environmental risks during the process. The job was completed following stringent environmental practices and with expertise in building safe and reliable pipelines. 

FortisTCI Director of Energy Production Alvejes Desir was the project lead, supported by international contractors Cape Caribbean Inc. and local contractors Rolle Construction. The FortisTCI project team included Senior Vice President of Operations Devon Cox, Vice President of Grand Turk and Sister Islands Operations Allan Robinson, Technical Consultant of Engineering Michael Polonio, Grand Turk Superintendent of Plant Control Franklyn Been, Grand Turk Operations Manager Neil Allen, Environmental Health and Safety Manager Marcus Francis and the EHS Department. The Public Works Department, Physical Planning, Road Safety Department, DECR, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Ports Authority were also instrumental in completing this project

Speaking about the pipeline, Director of Ports Authority Delton Jones said, “The Ports Authority is pleased with the commissioning of the new fuel pipeline at South Dock, Grand Turk by FortisTCI, and was very happy to facilitate the execution of this construction project. The operations of the new fuel pipeline are consistent with our Strategic Plan: Goal 2 – Safe Ports. The new pipeline replaces a regime where fuel was transferred using hoses, which floated on the sea. This had inherent environmental and safety risks. The new pipeline is a win-win and a good example of a mutually beneficial public and private sector collaboration.”

FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes said, “I want to commend project leader Alvejes Desir and the project team who worked to finalize the new pipeline installation. Having a secure method for fuel delivery on Grand Turk means that we can continue to provide residents with the reliable electricity they have come to expect. And being an ISO 14001 and 45001 certified operation, we live by a code of safety always and protecting our environment in all facets while carrying out our day-to-day duties. Replacing the pipeline represents our commitment to serving our customers with a safe, high quality and reliable service.”

Press Release: FortisTCI

Photo Captions:

Header: A team in Grand Turk meet to inspect and commission the new fuel pipeline. From L to r: Alvejes Desir (FortisTCI), Castro Edmund (MV Brad Sun) , Franklyn Been (FortisTCI), Luis Fernando (MV Brad Sun), Dwayne Simmons (Ports Authority) , Keith Simmons (Ports Authority), Delton Jones (Ports Authority), Neil Allen, (FortisTCI), Allan Robinson (FortisTCI), Carl Newbby (CAPE), Dominc Litty (CAPE).

Insert: A new 1,500-foot fuel pipeline recently installed at South Dock in Grand Turk replaces an older pipeline thought to be more than 30- years old. The project was completed following the highest environmental standards and safeguards the fuel transfer process necessary for the continued delivery of reliable electricity to the residents of Grand Turk.

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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