Gov’t To Review Legislative Framework Governing Delivery And Regulation Of Utilities (JIS)

KINGSTON, August 5 (JIS):

The Government will shortly commence a review of the legislative framework governing the delivery and regulation of utilities.

This, according to Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is to ensure customers are protected, particularly during periods of emergency.

The announcement comes against the background of the pace of electricity restoration by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) in several communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

Reports surfacing indicate that several communities remain without power just over a month since the system’s passage.

Addressing Monday’s (August 5) launch of the Rebuild Jamaica Initiative at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in downtown Kingston, Prime Minister Holness expressed dissatisfaction with electricity restoration efforts in some communities since the category-four system impacted the island on July 3.

“I have tried not to speak too much on this matter, because JPS is a private company. They do, however, perform an indispensable and most important public function which is regulated under law by an independent utilities regulator, which, essentially, takes the Government out of the regulatory space.

“But it does not take away the legislative authority of the Government, and what we are seeing in terms of the return of electricity to some areas of the country, it is not being done in a way for which the Government is satisfied,” Mr. Holness stated.

Consequently, he said, “It does cause me to take a second look at the legislative framework which governs this new space of how utilities are delivered and regulated.”

“It would appear to me that there needs to be a tighter regulation, and it falls on the legislators, now, to start to look at the instruments that govern how the utility operates and how the utility operator operates, to ensure that the customer is protected, particularly in the time of an emergency and a disaster,” Mr. Holness emphasised, adding that “that process will begin shortly”.

Under the Rebuild Jamaica Initiative, Jamaicans whose homes were destroyed during the hurricane’s passage, will receive relief grants from the Government.

Persons whose houses were destroyed will receive a grant of up to $400,000; those whose homes were severely damaged will receive up to $150,000, while those experiencing minor damage will receive up to $50,000.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said Cabinet has approved the submission made for the payment of cash grants to provide post-hurricane relief assistance.