On Monday, November 11th, the Cuisinart Resort & Spa Ballroom was the venue for the opening ceremony of the 17th annual conference of the Organization Of Caribbean Utility Regulations (OOCUR), hosted by the Public Utilities Commission of Anguilla.
The theme for this year’s conference is: Smart and Green Regulation—Technologically Driven and Environmentally Friendly, and Anguilla is proud to host the large delegation in the finest of settings.
Before the ceremony began, and while the room gradually filled with invited guests and delegates, entertainment was provided by the crisp sounds of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Steel Orchestra, under capable directorship of Teacher Michael “Dumper” Martin. The music was admired by all.
The three-day conference, which runs from November 11th to 13th, was blessed by Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, after which the National Anthem and National Song were rendered by the ALHCS Steel Orchestra and the ALHCS Jazz Ensemble, respectively.
Chairperson of the Anguilla Public Utilities Commission, Mrs. Keesha Carty, gave the opening remarks. In doing so, she specially gave a cordial welcome to all the delegates from overseas and expressed her wishes that they would find Anguilla to be a most delightful place to be for this year’s conference.
Mrs. Carty also gave a brief review of the purpose and work of OOCUR: “OOCUR is a non-profit organization, the objectives of which are to assist in establishing utility policies, and to foster transparent and stable regulations. OCCUR undertakes research, training and development and facilitates understanding of utility regulatory issues. OOCUR also provides the opportunity to share utility information and experiences with its thirteen member countries of the Caribbean.”
Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, and the Environment, the Honourable Curtis Richardson, added his warm sentiments of welcome as well: “It is my distinct pleasure, on behalf of the Government of Anguilla, to welcome you to our tranquil shores. I trust that you will have the opportunity to not only glean as much knowledge and information as you possibly can in the conference, but that you would get the chance to experience the hospitality of our friendly people, our cuisine, beaches and entertainment.”
He continued by expressing the Government’s commitment to utility regulations: “We, at the Ministry, applaud the years of excellent service and mutual benefit provided by OOCUR to Anguilla and the region at large. Shared knowledge and continued education in this field are necessary as our territories explore new technologies and utility advancements.
“This year’s theme, Smart and Green Regulation —Technologically Driven and Environmentally Friendly, is indeed timely. Our key departments, and governments as a whole, must prioritize environmental issues, chief among which is climate change and the preservation of our natural and marine resources. In Anguilla we, as a government, took the position in 2018 to implement a ban on all single use plastic shopping bags. Therefore no more single use plastic bags are being imported to the island. This measure is destined to benefit our environment in the long term.”
Chairman of OOCUR, Mr. Clayton Blackman also addressed the opening: “In recent times, OOCUR has been keeping abreast with the other utility associations around the world. I wish to thank all of the Public Utility Commissions, from the various member countries, for the parts they have been playing in keeping OOCUR so vibrant. Thanks again to those countries which represented OOCUR at the last world energy forum in Mexico.”
He recalled the instance last year, at the conference in Belize, when Mrs. Keesha Carty approached him and suggested that Anguilla host the 2019 conference. He said that she immediately started to work on the plans that had now come together to make this year’s conference a reality. He gave her a high note of commendation for her dedicated efforts.
Following Mr. Blackman’s address was a wonderful dramatic performance of Patricia Adam’s poem Roas Corn by Tr. Krystal Webster’s class of the Alwyn Allison Primary School.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by the Executive Director of the Anguilla Public Utilities Commission, Mr. Ken Banks.
The three-day conference will address such topics as “Improving Resilience in the Energy Sector”; “Moving Towards a Smart Green Utilities Sector”; “Planning the Transition Towards Clean Energy in Small Island States”; “Water, Waste Water and Sewage”; and Consumer Protection and Advocacy”.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
