KINGSTON, Jamaica — Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has defended the Government’s decision to offer a loan to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), following criticisms from Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs).

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Vaz addressed the  backlash stating, “One [Opposition MP] went on social media and hit out against the JPS loan and one in Parliament yesterday grilled the minister of finance about the prudence of this, yet still one of them on social media up to recently, crying crocodile tears in one and then fighting against it.”

Vaz said he looked up the term “crocodile tears” in the Oxford dictionary following the criticism.

“Tears are expressions of sorrow that are insincere,” he defined, adding that the term originated from the belief that “crocodiles wept while devouring or louring their prey.”

He said this definition was fitting for the MP who criticised the loan on social media.

For the other MP, who was recently seen “crying” in Parliament, Vaz said the phrase “dry cry” would be more appropriate.

“Dry cry often refers to pretending to cry or shedding fake tears to gain sympathy, attention or manipulate a situation. It implies a false display of sadness without being genuine,” he said.

Vaz stated he would leave the matter to the Jamaican people to judge, adding “God always knows best and that is why the Andrew Holness JLP government was chosen to lead this recovery and rebuilding.”

The minister highlighted the pace of restoration efforts following Hurricane Melissa, noting that “we are five weeks into Melissa and we have restored 82 per cent of JPS customers. First world countries have had less than Category 5 and take six months to a year to be able to do so.”

Doubling down on his stance, Vaz said he fully supports the loan decision.

“I stoutly defend the recommendation of the loan to the JPS cabinet and the approval given rather than an extension of the existing electricity license to JPS and I have no regrets or apologies as it’s the best option for the people of Jamaica to allow for a return to normalcy in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Vaz also addressed the controversy on X, commenting on a video of Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament where Dr Alfred Dawes raised concerns about the loan.

“Sitting in the comfort of their air conditioned homes and offices, stating that another four – six months should be fine for people to go without electricity is a tone-deaf suggestion,” Vaz said in the post.

“I have said it before, JPS is way more than just light bulbs and even then, the people want light!!!!” he added.

The minister also commented on a separate video posted by Member of Parliament for Western Westmoreland, Ian Hayles, saying: “To everyone who stated that the PNP was not opposed to the $150M loan but just wanted clarity, please go watch this video. Be very careful on putting your necks out for people who put politics over principles. They will embarrass you.”

The video, posted on November 29, showed Hayles weighing in on the loan.

“I am of the view that you fix the house first. You give poor people their home first and you help fix up the country first,” Hayles said. “What we should have done is negotiate with JPS, sit down at the table ensure that they can go out and borrow the money from private banks so in case anything happen its not the poor people of this country leave holding the bag.”

He added that assessments should have been done in the meantime to make sure that the houses can be fixed while electricity is being restored.