CURE concerned about OPM response to energy issues

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Lobby group, Citizens United to Reduce Electricity (CURE)is again questioning why the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is being allowed to operate with a license that the court has ruled is invalid.

The issue is being raised once more amid contradiction in the views of a government advisor and a government minister on the breaking up of the JPS monopoly.

One of the group’s founders, Betty-Ann Blaine, says the government seems to be delaying on the issue.

She says the lobby group will continue to pressure the government until the issue is resolved.

The government has sought to assure that it’s open to competition in the distribution of electricity to Jamaicans.

But it says it cannot recklessly pursue a new arrangement and has to ensure continuity of service until the issue is resolved.

CURE, which initiated the legal challenge against the validity of the JPS license, is urging the government to move quickly and carefully to renegotiate a new permit.

The government says Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell will shortly be making a statement on his discussions with the JPS.

monique.grange@gleanerjm.com