KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) in a release to the media said that it was not apprised of the contents of the Bill which has been passed by both Houses of Parliament establishing a new government framework for the agency.

The Bill originated in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), but was piloted through the House of Representatives on October 13 by Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (STEM), Phillip Paulwell.

It was also piloted through the Senate on Friday, by Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding.

In a release to the media, dated Thursday, October 22, the OUR said that it has written the OPM on the matter.

“The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has written to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) regarding the Bill entitled ‘An Act to Amend the Office of Utilities Regulation Act’. The OUR was not apprised of the contents of the Bill prior to its passage in the House of Representatives on 2015 October 13,” the release said.

The OUR also expressed concern about the lack of evidence of consultation with other major affected stakeholders.

“It is also concerned that several of its recommendations made over the past five years for the amendment of the OUR Act were not addressed in the current amendments to the Act,” the OUR release said.

“These recommendations include proposals to enhance the enforcement powers of the regulator, establish tariff setting guidelines applicable across the regulated sectors and extensive provisions for consumer protection,” it added.

Balford Henry