Gov't rejects opposition criticism over handling of JPS licence

By Kemon White 

 

 

The Senate convened its first sitting in Gordon House on Friday, where national recovery efforts and governance issues came on to sharper scrutiny following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. 

 

After a presentation by Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, the opposition pressed the government on several matters, among them the handling of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) licence. 

 

Opposition Senator Cleveland Tomlinson rose in Parliament on Friday to challenge the government's announcement that JPS will not be granted a new licence when the current agreement expires in 2027. 

 

The newly appointed Senator pointed to reports suggesting that the timing and nature of the announcement have already stirred unease within the energy sector, placing JPS at a strategic disadvantage amid Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts. 

 

"Does the government accept that it erred when it prematurely announced the intent to end the JPS will licence which, according to what the permanent secretary said at PAAC, has put the company in a precarious position now to find financing to support recovery and that they have requested an extension of the licence?" he questioned.

 

In her response, Dr. Morris Dixon defended the government's position, asserting that the decision not to renew the licence is deliberate. 

 

"Electricity costs in Jamaica is one of the highest you will find. And so we as a government feel that we have a responsibility to the people of Jamaica. We did not err in announcing the ending of the licence. Now you asked about extending the JPS licence. We understand that there has been a Category 5 hurricane, and our priority is getting electricity back as quickly as possible to all those who have been affected. Obviously, that means that there will be financing needs on the part of JPS. And so the government is exploring the potential of an extension," insisted the Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. 

 

The government's position was first outlined at a special press conference on July 1 this year, where Energy Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed that the licence will not be renewed under its existing terms when it expires in July 2027.