Dear Editor,
I wish to comment on the matter of the consumer advocacy group, Citizens United to Reduce Electricity (CURE), the Jamaica Public Service Company and the law.
The rule of law provides for appeals to the courts, which are open to all persons and parties, including the government. CURE seems scared of the matter going to appeal, or simply doesn’t trust the court to review the JPS licence decision. Perhaps they sense that an overturn would obliterate their raison d’être!
In 1890 splinter licences were the incentive to promote electrification of Jamaica and set the specifications for the service. It was not intended to foster competition or prevent monopoly, as in the present urgings. Darkness was upon the land and the colonial master literally said, “Let there be light!” Rather, those licences amounted to a call to whosoever will: “Go ye all and bake a pie and sell slices to the people so that they may see!” So, to use such a law in today’s context is to place Jamaica back in time.
What CURE ought to do is set out in detail for the public to see how the breakup of the monopoly will actually result in reduction of rates, theft and other losses associated with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
Norman Lee
Brampton, Ontario
Canada
namronlee@rogers.com
I wish to comment on the matter of the consumer advocacy group, Citizens United to Reduce Electricity (CURE), the Jamaica Public Service Company and the law.
The rule of law provides for appeals to the courts, which are open to all persons and parties, including the government. CURE seems scared of the matter going to appeal, or simply doesn’t trust the court to review the JPS licence decision. Perhaps they sense that an overturn would obliterate their raison d’être!
In 1890 splinter licences were the incentive to promote electrification of Jamaica and set the specifications for the service. It was not intended to foster competition or prevent monopoly, as in the present urgings. Darkness was upon the land and the colonial master literally said, “Let there be light!” Rather, those licences amounted to a call to whosoever will: “Go ye all and bake a pie and sell slices to the people so that they may see!” So, to use such a law in today’s context is to place Jamaica back in time.
What CURE ought to do is set out in detail for the public to see how the breakup of the monopoly will actually result in reduction of rates, theft and other losses associated with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
Norman Lee
Brampton, Ontario
Canada
namronlee@rogers.com