ABOUT URCA

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), is an independent multi-sector regulator currently with responsibilities for the Electronic Communications Sector (ECS) and Electricity Sector (ES). Established through the passage of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority Act 2009 (the URCA Act), and the Communications Act, 2009 (Comms Act), URCA assumed responsibility for the regulation of the ECS on 1 September 2009. The ECS comprises fixed and mobile telecommunications services, internet, pay TV, broadcasting and management of the radiofrequency spectrum. With the passage of the Electricity Act, 2015 (EA) and consequent amendments to the URCA Act, URCA’s regulatory responsibilities were expanded to include the regulation of the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity throughout The Bahamas.

In addition to the governing legislation, URCA’s responsibilities as a regulator are guided by the government’s policies applicable to each regulated sector, namely the Electronic Communications Sector Policy (ECSP) and the National Energy Policy (NEP).

Governance

URCA’s corporate governance structure supports the key tenets of good governance, namely transparency, fairness and accountability throughout the organization. URCA’s activities are governed by a Board which comprises four (4) non-executive members, including the Board’s chairperson, and three (3) executive members; namely the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Utilities and Energy (DUE) and the Director of Electronic Communications (DEC). Non-executive members are appointed by the Governor General, while the executive members are appointed by the non-executive members following a competitive selection process.

URCA’s Board

Neville Wilchcombe, Chairman Serfent Rolle, Deputy Chairman Kendal Culmer, Non-executive Member Deborah Kelly, Non-executive Member Carlton Smith, Chief Executive Officer Shevonn Cambridge, Director of Energy and Utilities Dr. Waldon Russell, Director of Electronic Communications (Acting)

The CEO has overall executive responsibility for URCA’s day-to-day activities, including overall strategy and responsibility for URCA’s four operational units namely: Legal; Human Resources and Administration; Finance; and Corporate and Consumer Relations.

URCA has the specific legal requirement to collaborate with the following Ministers of Government concerning

its mandate, and for the effective execution of that aspect of its work, governed by Government Policies:

„ The Attorney General, who has overall responsibility for Government’s relations with URCA, and with whom URCA engages in respect of its operations including its budget and reporting, including financial statements and audit;

„ The Minister with responsibility for the ECS in respect of matters outlined in the Communications Act, which include the ECSP, and specific activities related to the allocation and pricing of spectrum, public service broadcasting, and universal services;

„ The Minister with responsibility for the administration of the Electricity Act;

URCA is also required from time to time to engage with the Ministers of Government with responsibility for licensees owned and operated by Government, such as the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) and Bahamas Power and Light Ltd (BPL).

The Audit Committee

An additional key component of the organisation’s governance structure is the Audit Committee, currently chaired by Jacqueline Hunt. The Audit Committee’s work includes:

„ Review of the monthly financial reports prepared by management;

„ Review, monitoring and implementation of recommendations made by the internal and external auditors; and

„ Review of the annual financial statements, including the assessment of the accounting policies.

The Audit Committee also has oversight of the work of the internal auditor, whose work during the year continued to focus on and ensure the organization’s compliance with internal controls and external legal and regulatory requirements.

Non-Executive Members

Neville Wilchombe Chairman Serfent Rolle Deputy Chairman Deborah Kelly Non-Executive Member Kendall Culmer Non-Executive Member

Executive Members

J. Carlton Smith CEO Shevonn Cambridge Director of Energy and Utilities

Board Secretary

Mrs. Clara Taylor-Bell Board Secretary Faith Johnson Finance Manager Mavis Johnson Collie Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager Cassandra Collie Human Resource and Administrative Manager Dr. Waldon Russell Acting Director Electronic Communications