Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell has criticised the Minister of Energy, Daryl Vaz, for political gimmicks while Jamaicans suffer under a high electricity bill.

“The Minister of Energy is just realising how unbearable the high price of electricity has been for the consumer and for those doing business in Jamaica. This situation has been going on for nine years. The price of electricity in 2016 was about 23 cents US,” Paulwell said.

He emphasised that today the electricity bill is over 40 US cents per kilowatt-hour, and it is the same JPS license that operated in 2016, when the price was low, that is still in effect today.

“But if the minister believes that the JPS license is the reason for the high price, why doesn’t the minister deal with the JPS license now? Why wait for two more years? In fact, there are precedents for adjusting licenses. I did it 40 years before the telecommunications license was to expire, and both the JLP government and the PNP government have amended the JPS license from time to time,” Paulwell continued.

On July 1, Minister Vaz announced the government’s intention to ensure that the current Jamaica Public Service all-island licence will not be renewed under the existing terms upon expiration.

Vaz stated that a letter to the JPS was written pursuant to Condition 27 of the licence, which provides for the Government of Jamaica to acquire the licence business at the expiration of the terms of the licence. “That expiration date is July 8th, 2027,” Vaz said.

He said it is not the intention of the Government of Jamaica to take charge of the operations of the JPS. However, prior to the expiry of the current licence in 2027, the government intends to renegotiate new licence terms and conditions with potential investors which are favourable for the people of Jamaica.

The opposition spokesman revealed that in 2016, he amended the license to allow for the introduction of liquefied natural gas and also to effect changes to street lighting so that Jamaicans can use more energy-efficient bulbs.

“So, minister, why not deal with the high price of electricity now? Why are you electioneering on this matter, which is so crucial to the future of our development? One of the main reasons why this government cannot call an election now is because of the high cost of living, and that is driven largely by the high price of electricity in our country. Consumers are suffering, businesses are suffering, and the price of everything in Jamaica is higher because the price of electricity is so high.

“And at this, the ninth hour, this government is seeking to shift the blame from itself and instead to focus on the JPS license, which is really a non-issue because the government could change that license any day it chooses to do so. So let us not be electioneering now on this issue so crucial to the development of Jamaica. Let us change this government and put in a government that understands how to get the price of electricity down. We’ve done it before, and we will do it again,” he added.