OUR Summoned to Cabinet; Urged to Act in the Interest of Customers
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) was summoned to a meeting of the Cabinet to address growing concerns about the slow pace of electricity restoration following recent disruptions caused by Hurricane Beryl.
Head of the Cabinet, Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness expressed clear dissatisfaction with the current pace of electricity restoration efforts emphasizing the urgent need for swift and effective action to resume this critical public utility.
Several communities across the southern belt of Jamaica have been severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl and are still without electricity. This prolonged outage has caused significant hardship for residents and businesses, prompting an urgent need for accurate, comprehensive updates and reassurances from the responsible entities.
During the meeting, Cabinet members voiced their concerns with the OUR’s lack of advocacy as an independent regulator during this critical period. As the empowered authority, the OUR is mandated to hold the JPS accountable and to communicate effectively with the public. Prime Minister Holness emphasized the importance of timely and transparent communication from the OUR and the regulated entities, highlighting that it is crucial for maintaining public trust and confidence in the existing regulatory framework that prescribes an independent regulator.
As a consequence, representatives from the OUR have been invited to the Post Cabinet Press Briefing scheduled for Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to provide a comprehensive update on the steps taken by the regulator to ensure speedy restoration of electricity.
The government remains committed to ensuring that all Jamaicans have their electricity and utilities restored and the regulatory framework is fit for purpose.