June 24 - 30, 2017
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS 11
Government to remove Mega One Triton wreck by December BY OLIVIA ROSE THE GOVERNMENT is making a concerted effort to remove the Mega One Triton wreckage on Governor’s Beach in Grand Turk by December. This was revealed by the Minister of Tourism Ralph Higgs during a recent Government press conference on Tuesday (June 20). He said: “We continue to make significant steps in the removal of the boat on the beach and it is our desire to have the boat completely removed hopefully by the end of the year.” The minister noted that additional information on the process will be divulged at a subsequent press conference. Higgs in an interview with the Weekly News said that while he is not at liberty to disclose the exact cost of the vessel’s removal, the Government has already retendered the contract. He also noted that a preliminary assessment is currently being conducted to determine the state of the Mega One Triton wreck. The vessel, which has become an eyesore, disabled and anchored off Government Dock in the capital and was eventually grounded at Governor’s Beach during the passage of hurricane Sandy in October 22, 2002. The vessel started life as a tender vessel supplying offshore oilrigs. There were about 190 litres of fuel on board and about 150 litres of
Minister of Tourism Ralph Higgs
motor oil when it became grounded. After it was decommissioned and sold to a retired captain, the ship supplied the Turks and Caicos Islands with building materials from the Dominican Republic for more than 20 years. According to a release from the Government, CWaves, a UKbased Maritime and Engineering Consultancy, conducted an initial assessment and proposed a range of options to be considered for the safe and efficient removal of the wreck from Governor’s Beach in an environmentally friendly manner. Commenting on the assessment Minister of Tourism Ralph Higgs said: “I am grateful for the assistance of CWaves and their input which will help with the removal of Mega One Triton, which has become unsightly on one of our most popular beaches over the years. “My Government stands firm on seeing the removal of this impediment in a timely manner.”
Mega One Triton wreck on Governor’s beach
This consultancy was awarded to CWaves following a tender process, and was funded by the UK Government. CWaves will be responsible for overall management of the project through to completion. Members of the public are being advised to refrain from climbing on or entering the wreck due to the deterioration in its condition, and potential exposure to hazardous substances remaining on board. On January 28, 2013, the
Government charged the vessel’s agents, due to the absence of the owner, Ked Megnath. Four people were charged with various offences under the National Parks, Coastal Protection and Marine Pollution Ordinances. As reported previously, the safeguards to be put in place prior to the vessel’s removal to protect the local environment include: The removal of several thousand gallons of contaminated water and fuel that if released into the environment during
the removal, pose a significant environmental threat. Specialised equipment must be employed to skim the petroleumbased contaminants from the surface of the water in an effort to remove the most hazardous of materials. The remainder of the water must be pumped and transported to an upland location for safe disposal. At the same time that toxic fluids are being removed, oil booms and turbidity curtains must be deployed to contain any potential spills.
COMMENTARY
The elected boss man OUR Premier won more votes in the 2012 election than any other candidate. However, her party lost that contest by one seat. Due to the disappointments of the 2012-2016 Ewing and Misick government everyone wanted to run for election in 2016. We were so anxious for the election - remember? Vote winner Sharlene faced competition from the other party, their estranged candidates and disjointed PDMs who ran as independents. None of these made strong showings but they did siphon off votes. Nevertheless, Sharlene won and so did her party. She was and is the undisputed Premier.
BY DAVID TAPFER
David is a retired mobile hydraulic engineer and business executive. He has been married to Middle Caicos native Yvette Robinson Tapfer for 27 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011
We acknowledge the Haitian view of leadership. When a person hires you he or she is known as the exclusive boss or ‘boss man’. In democratic politics, the people elect who they want as leader and boss. ‘Change’ was the PDM platform’s keyword and change is what we are experiencing. Change in tone and change in policies.
There will be another election in four years. Meanwhile when one under the boss openly snipes at the boss they do not recognise the ‘boss man’ concept or the democratic process that elected the boss. At the beginning of the 20th century a man named Fred W Taylor laid down the principles of a well-run organisation. These rules are learned in ‘Business 101’.
Government and business follow these rules. Authority is delegated to ministers. The ‘boss man’ sets the policies and the ministers carry them out. The details are left to the minister. If the policy does not work the minister must check back with the boss leader and between them the issues are resolved. Premier and ministers must work as a team. The Cabinet must join together to affect needed progress. Everyone in government must follow rules and advise their superiors of their plans. Further when a minister attempts to diminish the authority of the elected leader they do not understand politics or business. The campaign is over and the choices have been dictated by the
voters and within the party framework. We are only one eighth of the way through an election cycle. We must give our new leader every chance to succeed. The first commandment talks about authority. Render to God what is God’s. We must honour our voters’ choice and the authority they have assigned. We have moved away from the days of purchased power grabs and intimidation. We are closer to true elected power. Let us give it a chance to work. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson is the Premier and will remain Premier for at least four more years, God willing. She is the elected ‘boss man’.