8/12/2019 YG Press Release

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Contact:

Ricardo

Brooks

(876) 408 -

0899

R. D.B. Walsh

(876) 506 -

4765

PRESSR ELEASEENERGY MINISTER MUST RESIGN.

Kingston Young Jamaica, the official youth arm of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, is this

afternoon expressing shock and dismay at the Energy Ministers handling of the project to construct a

380 megawatt power plant in Jamaica. The Young Labourites believe the process has been severely

compromised by the improper conduct of Minister Paulwell, and are calling on the government to

immediately suspend the project until such time as a credible process can be established. There can be

no doubt that Paulwell has brought the country into disrepute, while undermining the principles of good

governance and transparency. By his actions, the Minister has caused the International Development

Bank (IDB) to call into question the countrys procurement practices, which has led to the

organizations refusal to assist in funding the project. We believe such a consequence can only serve to

embarrass the country internationally, and question our commitment to due diligence.

Young Jamaica finds the Ministers attempts to subject the Contractor General to his direction deeply

troubling. We wish to remind the Minister, indeed the Cabinet, that the Contractor General Act subjects

that office to no authority in the exercise of its powers and functions. Therefore, we strongly reject any

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attempt to exert undue burden or influence on the Contractor General in the lawful exercise of his duties

and we further repudiate any attempt by the Minister and his government to interfere with the regulatory

role of the Office of Utilities Regulation. We find the Ministers interference with the license, arecommended to him by the OUR, improper and in breach of his own assurance to the country that he

would act according to the recommendations of the regulatory agency. The Prime Minister must update

the nation on her position on the powers of the Contractor General, and indicate whether her

government remains committed to the process of transparency and due diligence. Failure to do so can

only suggest that the government intends to renege on its promise to strengthen the OCG and other

regulatory and oversight agencies.

In light of these troubling circumstances, the Minister must immediately explain the following:

1. Why has he tampered with the EWI license recommended to him by the OUR?

2. Does he have any stake in securing an agreement with EWI, no matter the terms?

3. Why is he intent on contracting EWI considering the organizations lack of transparency?

Having considered the Ministers gross negligence, improper conduct and breach of public confidence,

Young Jamaica calls on Minister Phillip Paulwell to immediately tender his resignation as

Energy Minister in the best interest of the country and its energy sector. We believe that is the

only way to rescue the project from abject failure, restore confidence and salvage the international

reputation of the country.

End.

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