MONTEGO BAY, St James — Opposition spokesperson on energy and climate change Phillip Paulwell wants legislation in place that will give politicians less say in the allocation of resources after a natural disaster.

His comments came within the context of the protracted delay in restoring electricity to sections of Hurricane Beryl-ravaged St Elizabeth and other sections of the country.

“I think that is a disgrace…We have to look at the law dealing with disasters because there has to be now a framework that we will have to develop to make sure that when we have disasters — and we will — there is an appropriate response,” stated Paulwell.

He was addressing a St James Central constituency conference held at Cornwall College in Montego Bay on Sunday.

The Opposition spokesperson said such a move will allow for the restoration process to be treated as an emergency.

“It is taken out of the hands of the politicians so they can’t direct where [to] get back water and power first and put it to a body that is truly independent, that will be able to deal with restoration, evenly, fairly and timely,” he argued.

Paulwell’s assertion is in sharp contrast to that of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Minister Daryl Vaz who suggested on Nationwide News Network last week that future governments should be empowered to intervene in cases of emergency, to protect customers. Vaz has not minced his words when making known his frustration with the slow pace of the Jamaica Public Service’s restoration work.

Also on Sunday Paulwell promised to make the topic of climate change more appealing to the wider public.

“We have a responsibility to make sure that we do things to lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But Jamaica’s contribution is minuscule [compared] to the rest of the world and we will now have to boldly call on the countries to say to them, ‘Your carbon footprint is so large and great you have to step up and do things now to lower it’,” he stated.

“Just as how we led the drive to end apartheid, we in this area are going to lead that drive to ensure that the world moves to conform because very soon we are not going to be able to survive on planet Earth,” he urged.

Pointing to Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley’s track record, internationally, on the issue of climate change, Paulwell said president of the People’s National Party Mark Golding will soon join her in providing well-needed leadership in this area.