St. George’s, July 19, 2011 (GIS) – In a rarely seen demonstration of bipartisan cooperation, both government and opposition sides in the House of Representatives approved a bill designed to enhance electricity service delivery in Grenada.
The proposed changes to the electricity sector are part of a planned project of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Among the suggested changes is diversifying the sources of electricity generation to include more renewable sources of energy.
During a sitting of the House of Representative on July 18, government sought parliament’s approval to negotiate a loan to ensure Grenada’s participation in the project that involves the creation and launch of an “Energy Regulatory Authority’’ for the OECS.
Finance and Energy Minister, Nazim Burke, introduced the “Eastern Caribbean Energy Regulatory Authority Project Loan Authorisation Bill 2011.’’
Hon. Burke, who is also Leader of Government Business in the House, said the project will lay the foundation for greater “efficiency of the electricity sector’’ in Grenada and the rest of the OECS.
It would lead to “cost saving and other important benefits,’’ he added.
Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Mitchell gave unconditional support to the bill, describing it as the most “critical initiative’’ of the government in the past three years.
Dr. Mitchell expressed hope that the proposed Regulatory Authority will result in a “dramatic improvement’’ in electricity service for people and businesses.
Minister Burke thanked Dr. Mitchell for his complete support of the bill, saying it is the first in the current series of parliamentary sittings that he can recall such a gesture from the Opposition Leader.