Government oversight
Cops favoured colleague in domestic violence case
(CNS): Police officers failed to conduct a “thorough, impartial and timely” investigation of a domestic violence incident, according to a report released by the Office of the Ombudsman, which reviewed the case after learning officers had not followed the RCIPS Domestic Violence Policy. Despite numerous shortcomings in the investigation and the disciplinary action recommended by […]
Maladministration occupies ombudsman
(CNS): The Office of the Ombudsman has reported that maladministration by some civil servants is dominating its work, which now covers a range of issues, from data protection to whistleblowing. The oversight body, which was created in September 2017 following the merger of the offices of the information and complaints commissioners, handled 393 enquiries last […]
COVID-19 estimated cost is $46.7M
(CNS): The auditor general has found that government’s estimated spending and committed expenditure on the COVID-19 pandemic, as at 19 June, is CI$46.7 million. This unaudited estimate does not include lost revenue and is based on available information supplied by government. With more work to come on the wider costs of this healthcare crisis, Sue […]
CUC boss says future of power is solar
(CNS): Whether solar panels in the Cayman Islands should be mainly located on rooftops or on land farms to meet the proposed energy goals may be up for debate, but Richard Hew, the CEO of Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC), is certain that the sun will provide the country’s future power needs. Appearing before the Public […]
PAC strikes record of Pierson’s claims
(CNS) UPDATED WITH VIDEO: The Public Accounts Committee has struck from its records allegations made by the chairperson of the OfReg board about the auditor general’s report on the regulator, which were made during the hearings last week. Claims made by Linford Pierson that the audit was inaccurate in several areas were refuted on Thursday […]
Fidelity CEO admits breaking law
(CNS): Brett Hill, the CEO of Fidelity, has said it has not been possible to meet the requirements of the amended Pensions Law, which allows members to take cash from their pension fund to help them through the COVID-19 crisis, because the company needed more time.
OfReg costs more, fails to protect consumers
(CNS): Three years after the creation of OfReg, auditors have taken a close look at the beleaguered utilities regulator and found that it has cost more than its predecessors but has failed to address its fundamental purpose of consumer protection. Inconsistent leadership, limited governance and oversight, a lack of strategic planning and direction or understanding […]
PTU ignores bus complaints one year on
(CNS): A passenger who made several credible complaints and provided documented evidence about drivers on the local bus routes last June was ignored, given the runaround and generally dismissed by the Public Transport Unit (PTU). And despite recommendations from the ombudsman, who found the unit was at fault, neither the PTU management nor the Public […]
Ministry: Students suffer COVID trauma
(CNS): The education ministry believes schools will have to deal with many students who are traumatized as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when they return in September. These metal health issues will need to be dealt with before effective learning can take place and gaps the addressed, officials have said. Following a recent critical […]
‘Culture change’ needed on private pensions
(CNS): Public Accounts Committee member Chris Saunders made it clear to regulators today that the culture surrounding Cayman’s mandatory private sector pension funds needs to change. Saunders, who has been a vocal advocate against the system, said the Department of Labour and Pensions (DLP) did not have the resources to police the plans where administrators […]
Schools to face catch-up challenge
(CNS): With children and teenagers across Cayman losing more than a third of their academic year to the COVID-19 lockdown, playing catch-up when the new 2020/21 school year starts will be a significant challenge for most schools. While kids were engaged in some online and home learning over the last three months, a report released […]
