KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Energy Phillip Paulwell says while Jamaicans desire to be happy, the current reality is that they are not.

“I have come to recognise one thing that the Jamaican people desire and want [is] to be happy. They are not looking to be in a perpetual state of ecstasy; they simply want a roof over their heads, a viable job, to live in a safe community, and general contentment that their families are doing and living well.

“But Jamaicans are not happy today. If they were, we all know elections would have come much sooner,” said Paulwell.

He was giving his opening remarks in his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

According to Paulwell, “At this point, the Jamaican people have rejected and dismissed any notion, any whisper of prosperity. They see the country heading in the wrong way, and if prosperity were any further out of reach, we’d need a telescope to spot it”.

Continuing, Paulwell said, “The Jamaican people, having given this JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) government two terms to try to make them happy and bring them prosperity, are disappointed and dissatisfied. They now want a change; a change that will give them greater power over their lives, a change that will see them as the centre of all positive developments, a change to a new government that cares for the people.”

Paulwell asked, “What was the main reason for the unhappiness?”

“In a single phrase, it is the high cost of living. The high cost of living has been a feature of life for the past nine years. And with the high cost of living comes stagnant income, because the economy itself is not growing. A major factor driving both the high cost of living and the lack of growth is energy,” said Paulwell.

The former energy minister said the high cost of electricity has been a staple in Jamaica for the past nine years.

“Our consumers pay high bills at home and then pay again in higher prices for basic goods and services. Meanwhile, our economy limps along, uncompetitive and weighed down by these costs.”

He reminded that, “Every year when I address this Parliament, I not only speak about the problems facing the energy sector but I also provide proposals toward solutions. Yet, my suggestions are largely ignored by the government.”