THE Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) said it is “perturbed” that Jamaica could possibly abandon its pursuit of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) deal with Trinidad & Tobago.

In 2004, Trinidad and Jamaica agreed on an arrangement that would have seen the Caribbean neighbour supplying some 1.1 million tonnes of LNG per year into Jamaica, beginning in 2009. However, the deal fell through after Trinidad pulled out, citing the unavailability of the product as a result of existing contractual arrangements and problems over the development of a new gas field they share with Venezuela.

Following reports that Trinidad made a major natural gas discovery off the island’s south-east coast, Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell was questioned in Parliament this week whether Government would step up the pressure on the twin-island republic to honour the LNG agreement. However, Paulwell indicated that discussions with Trinidad had not been very positive and reportedly said that Jamaica could be abandoning the deal as a result.

However, this has peeved the JMA, which noted that it has been advocating for years for the supply of LNG from Trinidad at preferential prices to create a level playing field for Jamaica’s manufacturing sector.

“The supply of LNG from Trinidad was a key strategy in the provision of a cheaper source of energy from the Jamaica Public Service. In light of talks that Jamaica may no longer be pursuing LNG from Trinidad, the JMA is demanding answers from the Government. Is it a done deal?” asked the JMA, noting that the group has been in discussions with three different industry ministers — from Karl Samuda to Christopher Tufton to Anthony Hylton — in a bid to reduce the cost of energy.

The JMA said it wants to know from Government whether another source has been identified to supply cheaper energy and what is the plan to enable manufacturers to compete with goods coming in from Trinidad produced at lower energy costs.

“We are disappointed that there have been no discussions with the JMA, as the advocacy body on the LNG issue, and await a response from the Government, which will make sense to the manufacturing sector and the citizens of Jamaica,” the group said.