OfReg boss resigns for better offer

| 28/02/2022 | 63 Comments
Cayman News Service
Malike Cummings

(CNS): Malike Cummings, the chief executive officer of the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg), is leaving the beleaguered agency after two and a half years on the job and a catalogue of controversies, having apparently taken up a better job offer in a different jurisdiction. According to a release from OfReg, the process of identifying an interim CEO has begun while the recruitment of a new CEO gets underway. However, CNS understands that a senior, long-serving civil servant has already been earmarked to oversee the agency until a permanent successor is found, who will be tasked will tackling the myriad problems at the regulator.

The problems at OfReg began before Cummings’ tenure, including an argument in September 2018 between the board chair and directors over the CEO post that almost came to blows.

However, the seemingly endless stream of issues continued after Cummings’ appointment in September 2019, from overspending to a complete failure to meet any of the stated aims of the entity. Nevertheless, OfReg board chair Rudy Ebanks, expressed his appreciation for what he said was Cummings’ leadership of the organisation. 

“OfReg has accomplished much under Malike’s stewardship,” Ebanks said, without offering any details. “It was a pleasure to serve with him on the board, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Cummings, who came to Cayman after heading up the Turks and Caicos’ Energy and Utilities Commission, is leaving because he had “accepted another opportunity outside of the jurisdiction”, according to the press release announcing his departure.

He wished success for the team he is leaving behind and said that Cayman is a wonderful place to live and work.

“I accepted the CEO position with OfReg because it presented a great opportunity to be part of a team that was tasked with bringing regulation of our various sectors under one roof,” he said. “It was a challenge, and one that I relished. I am happy with the progress that we have made, and of the numerous initiatives we have successfully delivered upon in such a short period of time.”

Those challenges began for Cummings soon after his arrival with the publication of two reports in 2020 by the auditor general which revealed the agency was wasting public cash and failing to deliver on its fundamental purpose for existing.

Cummings was then involved in a difficult appearance before the Public Accounts Committee following appearances by then board chair Linford Pierson and other staff members.

Public criticisms about the agency have ranged from concerns about the salaries and allowances paid to the senior staff, and the failure to address apparently random fluctuations in gas prices amid suspicions of collusion between the two main wholesalers.

Many consumers believe that OfReg has failed to properly regulate any of the utilities and its staff is too close to the providers. There have also been allegations that the only area where OfReg seems to be actually using its regulator powers is curbing the expansion of alternative energy.


Share your vote!


How do you feel after reading this?
  • Fascinated
  • Happy
  • Sad
  • Angry
  • Bored
  • Afraid
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: , ,

Category: Politics, Private Sector Oversight

Comments (63)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    What is Christen Suckoo doing there since he was sent there on a Chief Officers salary? Wasn’t he supposed to help run the place?

  2. Bush legacy of Corruption t says:

    OfReg is a mere reflection of the civil service and if the rumors are correct the new CEO is going make Cummings look like Mickey Mouse! But first a pretender will set up his throne and create Chaos before his arrival!

  3. Anonymous says:

    At least their Board Minutes are available up to Dec21 and this one shows that travel was expected to start again on page 2, 2nd paragraph:

    https://www.ofreg.ky/upimages/publication/MinutesofGeneralMeeting8of2021_Signed_Redacted9December2021_1645223086.pdf

    Annual and Strategic Plans are also available to show OfReg has been working….

    • Anonymous says:

      The other December minutes also had a gem where Alric was minuted trying to place the responsibility for a board decision solely on the basis of one of the Executive Directors. Better still is how the minutes then describe him being reminded the board is collectively responsible for board decisions. Excellent appointment with that one, PACT.

  4. Anonymous says:

    This entity has turned out to be nothing more than a recruitment agency. NOTHING has been accomplished by it, other than millions wasted. In the beginning, the way the then minister spoke about its creation you would have sworn that it would have solved all energy problems in Cayman. But in true Kurt Tibbetts fashion, all boom, flash!!, fireworks, sparkles….then fizzles out to nothing but smoke. Shit it down. We will all be better for it!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Much of this OfReg creation appeared to be heavily pushed forward by the CO in KT’s Ministry at the time.

  5. Anon1 says:

    Boy, that was fast. I read at least 4 soundbites in that article. Malike likely saying in the words of the immortal Peewee “see ya, wouldn’t want to be ya. Haha”

  6. Anonymous says:

    Wayne shut this embarrassment down now!

  7. Anonymous says:

    the land of failing upwards

  8. Anonymous says:

    Lodge members need only apply

  9. Courtney Platt says:

    The allegation of actively curbing expansion of alternative energy is extremely disconcerting to me and ought to be the first matter of urgent correction if true. This Government needs to be the one that creates every possible incentive for us to get off the gasoline nipple ASAP. A day may come soon when fuel prices soar exponentially at which point it will be too late for a smooth transition… it will be rough as heck. Surely it is possible to set up a system of “install now and pay back based on the normal monthly CUC bill”. For me that would be about $300/mo. After the cost of solar panel installation is paid off in a couple of years, it’s free power except for maintenance and insurance and it’s outside the reach of external forces causing fuel to spike or even being completely shut off (as in war or world wide disaster). We’ll need this infrastructure to charge our cars cost effectively as well as we shift to electric. Based on known reserves, the current estimate is that oil will run out in about 40 years… but obviously the price will spike long before then. And we have much better uses for oil than just burning it, adding to global warming while polluting the air we breath.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thus far the only allegations I’ve seen are those made by the people who profit off selling the systems, which have been refuted by OfReg. One would suspect if there was genuine substance, actual formal complaints would have been made to the Ombudsman to investigate. Since, to my knowledge, that hasn’t happened, it’s far more likely to just be a really sophomoric approach to lobbying the proverbial court of public opinion.

      Agree with you about the need to lessen dependency on fossil fuels!

    • Anonymous says:

      Whilst I share your enthusiasm for renewable energy and electric cars you assertion that oil will run out in 40 years is complete nonsense.

  10. Courtney Platt says:

    The allegation of actively curbing expansion of alternative energy is extremely disconcerting to me and ought to be the first matter of urgent correction if true. This Government needs to be the one that creates every possible incentive for us to get off the gasoline nipple ASAP. A day may come soon when fuel prices soar exponentially at which point it will be too late for a smooth transition… it will be rough as heck. Surely it is possible to set up a system of “install now and pay back based on the normal monthly CUC bill”. For me that would be about $300/mo. After the cost of installation is paid off in a couple of years, it’s free power except for maintenance and it’s outside the reach of external forces causing fuel to spike or even being completely shut off (as in war or world wide disaster). Based on known reserves, the current estimate is that oil will run out in about 40 years… but obviously the price will spike long before then. And we have much better uses for oil than just burning it, adding to global warming while polluting the air we breath.

  11. Anonymous says:

    28 @ 5:48pm – True, although it happens all the time in SAGCs. This is once it might be justified.

  12. Anonymous says:

    LOL I am howling!! You had us in the 1st quarter then Bam

  13. Anonymous says:

    I keep reading that OFFulReg have realized many achievements over the years but haven’t seen any. Can someone list something, anything? I do believe they insisted that gas stations list their prices, correct? Yes, now that was an amazing achievement. I feel better now.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Many CIG and statutory body expat employees also simply hang around until they get a private sector offer in Cayman In almost all cases they obtained relevant experience by working for CIG. CIMA tops this list.

    • Anonymous says:

      Respect the grift

    • Anonymous says:

      A local service provider has been marketing that a current CIMA senior manager will be joining them in summer. How can this be… when that senior manager is still working at CIMA?

      • Anonymous says:

        The employees who is mentioned in the marketing blurb by the local financial service provider should be immediately placed on gardening leave.

        If the private sector has seen the marketing materials then CIMA clearly knows about this and they permit that person to continue work at CIMA and regulate and inspect the future employers and competitions of the future employer.

        No wonder Cayman is on a blacklist. CIMA does not act like a world class regulator. No other regulator would permit the employee to continue to work.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Millions have been spent at this failed regulator to achieve zero in the public interests. Shut this thing down and fire all management now for gross incompetence. It has never worked.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Time for Vanguard Anderson and Duke Munro to go as well. OfREG is a waste of time and expensive resources to achieve absolutely nothing.

    • Anonymous says:

      Where is the proof to your argument George? The fuel companies are making money hand over fist. They are rolling in it so much do that they don’t even worry and implement adequate control and maintenance to mitigate leaks. They never have. They also know the authorities will just slap them on the wrist.

      Who do think is supposed to be on top of this making sure they follow API regulations to the tee or any other overseas petroleum operational standards for that matter? The man simply doesn’t want to get his white starched shirts dirty, he’s a pen pusher, that’s it. He only shows up to parties and when there’s a spill. He is not effective, just reactive. He along with the rest of the clown show needs to go, end of.

    • Anonymous says:

      Total nonsense. He has done and achieved nothing since moving to OfReg from CPI. Bigger salary, much bigger ego and no progress. Get rid ! Quick.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Bye

  18. Anonymous says:

    leaving for a better offer? Wow! And I thought all OfReg top jobs were as cushy and one could get.. big pay and perks, big SUV, no work…! You mean there’s something better?

    Wonder if Rudy Ebanks is cleaning house? About time!

    • Anonymous says:

      Rudy is a yes man. New time wasters will replace the current jokers as directed by the DP

    • Anonymous says:

      That would imply that the board chair is overstepping his legal authority he can’t just “get rid of people” if that’s happening there is no reason to celebrate!

      • Anonymous says:

        28 @ 5:48pm – True, although it happens all the time in SAGCs. This is once it might be justified.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Cummings and Goings…LOL

  20. Anonymous says:

    Clearly private sector appointments and persons from overseas are incapable of making change.

    Again another example of a failing entity run by private-sector board members.

    This model of governance is simply not working.

    Prove that I am wrong.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is not private sector, but you are ptherwise correct.

    • Anonymous says:

      This is not a competent “private sector body” , it is a group of political payback appointees, with very high salaries to keep their loyalty and votes.
      They are certainly not there because of their professional skills or qualifications.

      • The Wonderer says:

        Yes! It appears we have lot of corruption in our government. I wonder why no activity by the anti-corruption group? Why are we paying them?? ? Have they EVER found any corruption in our government? Hard to believe, ain’t it?

    • Anonymous says:

      Disband this entity. Not worth the money spent.

    • Anonymous says:

      All these boards are a mess. Pure resignations now.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Wait for it, out with one clown and in with the next Lodge Brother clown. Nothing but a sinkhole for consumer money and a country club for Lodge bobos. Makes me want to spit.

    End this charade now Premier Panton!

  22. Anonymous says:

    OfReg reminds us of that primary school algebraic equation: that x times zero will always equal zero.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Thank you Mr. Cummings for achieving so much over the period of appointment.

    I am truly grateful for all the achievements you have accomplished through your stewardship of offreg. Accomplishments such as:

    Sincerely,
    A happy local

  24. Anonymous says:

    A complete waste of space

  25. Caymafia Excess says:

    Good riddance.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.