Dear Editor,

The long-standing and near-cultural belief that “anything foreign is better” has always influenced economy building in Jamaica. Local businesses have always been shut down due to better investment climates being created for international business hopefuls to the ultimate detriment of “country-driven” employment, and thus the downturn of true independent handling of affairs. This, however, is a different debate.

More pertinent on the “foreign supremacy” issue is our seeming reverential obeisance to international policies and organisations. This, more than ever, seems to be the case in the looming energy saga, particularly between the OUR and the most recent accepted bidder, Energy World International (EWI).

Previously, the EWI, which is offering a projected US14.56 cents per kilowatt hour as opposed to the current 40 cents via their 360-megawatt proposal, was not in the standing for competition. In fact, they made a late entry, was accommodated, and has now overtaken Azurest Cambridge which failed to furnish the requisite funds for project commencement by the October 3 deadline.

In an interview on the October 7, 2013 Hot 102 broadcast of Jamaica Speaks, Trevor Munroe discussed the legitimacy of the EWI with Michael West, reputable journalist for numerous fiscal periodicals in Australia. According to West, EWI is the largest shareholder of the Hong Kong-based Energy World Corporation (EWC), which, he says, has not been forthcoming with the actual construction of LNG plants in the Philippines, Sri Lanka and other countries under contract. West, who has done extensive research on the EWC and its sub-companies, all run by Stewart Elliott, said that EWI has documented claims of partnership with countries and other organisations which have been terminated and has presented these and other reports to prospective countries, perhaps even Jamaica.

How trustworthy is EWI? If given the go-ahead, will they honour the contract and actually construct the LNG plant in the time allotted? Or will they use the initiation of the Jamaica partnership as a means of increasing their standing and later leave us wondering when the energy plant will come to fruition? What are our safeguards?

The Office of Utilities Regulation, and respective financial personnel, should thoroughly investigate the accounts and track record of the company before making any decision we may regret.

Jamaicans need to question and monitor the situation and assure that if an environment for fair competition and bill reduction is created, that it is indeed done with prudence and not out of urgency, desperation or frustration.

The EWI’s US14.5 cents per kilowatt hour offer is almost a dream come true, but as said by the Financial Services Division media campaign, “Investigate before you invest!”

J Watson

jilson_90@yahoo.com