LETTER OF THE DAY - Cheapest energy the ultimate goal
Published:Wednesday | May 22, 2013 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am surprised and concerned at comments attributed to both Opposition Spokesman on Energy Gregory Mair and president of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association, Brian Pengelley, in The Gleaner's front-page article of May 20, 2013, 'Leave 'em out'.
All well-thinking Jamaicans must be desirous of attaining the lowest possible energy cost, in the shortest possible time, for the benefit of every sector of the economy and every single Jamaican.
As I understand it, there is no tender process, as stated by Mr Mair, as the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) had submitted the only bid under that process and it was not accepted. What is being evaluated now are unsolicited proposals, including a revised JPS proposal that is among the several that were submitted.
Mr Mair's stated concern that to entertain another unsolicited proposal is 'unfair' to the other proposers gives the impression that he is more concerned about the rights and benefits that will accrue to those proposers than he is about the rights and benefits to accrue to the Jamaican people if this company out of Hong Kong can provide a far cheaper solution to our energy problem.
My advice to Mr Mair and the Jamaica Labour Party is to take the side of the people on this one and not the seeming narrow interest of scoring headlines or sound bites.
No decision has been taken and the process is still ongoing, so if there are companies out there that can offer an even better deal than Energy World, let us do everything in our power to bring them to the table also.
UNPATRIOTIC REMARKS
As someone whose organisation has been at the forefront of the call for cheaper energy in order to make the Jamaican manufacturing sector more competitive, I find it strange for Mr Pengelley to be advocating for what would be tantamount to agreeing to hold the process to finding the second cheapest solution.
I am sure his bosses at Diageo would find it prudent and economically stimulating for Jamaica to get the cheapest source of energy possible, especially with its announced intention to build a cogeneration plant to benefit from reduced electricity cost.
Mair's and Pengelley's position is in stark contrast to that of JPS CEO Kelly Tomblin in The Sunday Gleaner. She stated clearly that even though JPS has a proposal on the table, it was in the country's best interest to find the best and cheapest solution and get on with it.
Ms Tomblin certainly sounds more patriotic in her utterances, and she is not even Jamaican!
PAUL SALMON (MBA)