Private Sector Oversight
OfReg dodges funding bullet from MLAs
(CNS): The utilities regulator, OfReg, came close to missing out on an additional $1.3 million in funding during the recent Finance Committee hearings after MLAs were tied on a vote for the money. Opposition members raised concerns over the regulator’s failings to address fuel pump prices and the wholesalers’ acquisition of gas stations. Several members […]
Private school goes to top of the class
(CNS): Cayman Prep and High School was given top marks by school inspectors from the Office of Education Standards, which is systematically reviewing every education facility in Cayman, from early years through high school. The all-through school received an overall ‘good’ grade, and the inspectors found that across all quality indicators almost all judgements were […]
CPA not covered by PA law, claim officials
(CNS): Planning Director Haroon Pandohie and the chief officer in the ministry responsible for the Central Planning Authority have both said that the entity does not fall under the Public Authorities Law. Despite concerns from the public and some politicians that it is the Cayman Islands’ most conflicted board, the CPA does not fall under […]
OfReg rewrites rules to satisfy stakeholders
(CNS): The body established to regulate Cayman’s utilities sector and ensure fair competitive practices has redrafted rules on the penalties for any breaches of anti-competitive practices law. OfReg said this was in response to concerns by stakeholders, as the regulator released the new draft rules for final consultation this month. A release stated that when […]
GT pre-school gets top marks from inspectors
(CNS): Government school inspectors gave their first excellent grade to a George Town pre-school this month, following its latest round of inspections, which included one primary and several early years education centres. The new inspection reports published this week were on the Creek and Spot Bay Primary on Cayman Brac, as well as private pre-schools […]
ACC chair says unit busier than ever
(CNS): The Anti-Corruption Commission will need more investigators if the number of reports continues at current levels, according to ACC Chair Richard Coles, a former attorney general of the Cayman Islands. He told the Public Accounts Committee last week that the ACC could proceed with more cases if his team was doubled to match the doubling of […]
OfReg under fire after $2M cash injection
(CNS): The premier has admitted that the office created to regulate utilities has encountered a number of teething problems and has needed much more money than anticipated since its creation some two years ago. Outlining the need for more than $2 million in additional appropriations for the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg), the premier […]
Sol fined $200k over fuel tank blaze
(CNS): Sol Petroleum Limited has been fined just CI$200,000 plus costs of CI$86,700 by the utilities regulator in connection with the dangerous fuel tank blaze at the Jackson Point Terminal last summer. Sol has accepted responsibility and paid the administrative fine, which the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg) said reflected the potentially serious nature of the blaze and […]
Miller calls for OfReg chair’s removal
(CNS) UPDATED: Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller joined other public calls on Tuesday for the removal of the Linford Pierson as chairman of the OfReg board following revelations that he had threatened to punch the deputy chair during a recent special board meeting. Miller said that if the details revealed in the leaked minutes are an […]
OfReg chairs in near punch-up over CEO job
(CNS): The situation on the board of the Cayman Islands’ utilities regulator appears to be spinning out of control as leaked minutes of special board meetings last month show that Board Chair Linford Pierson threatened to ‘box’ Deputy Chair Ronnie Dunn in the head. This happened after Dunn accused Pierson of corruption over his attempts […]
Utility regulator appoints more bosses
(CNS): J. Paul Morgan, the first CEO of the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg), has left office after just over 18 months on the job and the board of directors has now appointed two people to act in the post while a recruitment process to fill the CEO post is undertaken. Officials said that Morgan left […]
