The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Coalition of Concerned Citizens is calling on the newly elected Minnis administration to intervene in getting the cost of electricity reduced in Grand Bahama to help stimulate the Freeport economy.

Edward Victor, chairman of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens (CCC), indicated that Grand Bahama has the highest electricity base rate in the country which has negatively affected residents, businesses, and hinders potential investment to the island.

“There is a need for immediate action to revitalise and transform the Grand Bahama economy,” he said in a statement. “The Coalition of Concerned Citizens believes that one of the primary factors needed to revolutionise this economy and the energy sector is to lower the cost of electricity.”

The CCC has been agitating for lower electricity rates for the past several years, holding protests, organising petitions, and boycotts against the Grand Bahama Power Company, which is the sole energy supplier for the island.

Despite the concerns expressed by CCC and other groups, the sector’s regulators at the Grand Bahama Port Authority approved the company’s application for a base rate increase in 2015.

The CCC is calling on the government to intervene in the energy sector by establishing an Independent Regulatory Committee under the oversight of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA).

Mr Victor said that the present regulator is not protecting customers.

The organisation is also asking the government not to renew the East End Agreement and West End Agreement between the Grand Bahama Power Company and the government, which are due to expire in 2018.

“We believe that this represents a critical point to introduce new and additional energy companies to stimulate competition and more efficiency for consumers on Grand Bahama island,” Mr Victor said.

The CCC also wants the government to end the monopoly of the Grand Bahama Power Company by allowing another energy provider in Freeport, including West and East Grand Bahama.

Mr Victor said another option is to find a buyer for the existing power company which will partner with the government to provide lower affordable electricity rates.

“We firmly believe that the government acting decisively to reduce the cost of electricity will help to stimulate and transform the economy of Grand Bahama,” he said.

The civic leader stressed that the island’s economy continues to struggle, and has been in a crisis for some time. He noted that the crisis has become more evident since Hurricane Matthew.

Mr Victor said that the job market has further contracted and unemployment has increased.

He claimed that the 2015 rate application for a base rate increase submitted by the Grand Bahama Power Company to the GBPA was approved at a time when the price of oil was plundering the global markets.

“Our coalition mounted an aggressive opposition to stop the further injustice of higher electricity rates placed upon the people and businesses of Grand Bahama. We were able to get hundreds of citizens to write letters and emails to the Regulatory Committee of the Grand Bahama Port Authority opposing the suggested rate increase,” Mr Victor said.

Mr Victor said the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, hotels, and businesses were also opposed to the proposed increase in the electricity base rate.

“Despite all our efforts and the overwhelming voices from the private and business sector opposing any rate increase, the Regulatory Committee approved the increase in the base rate of electricity,” he stated.

Although contacted, the GBPC did not comment up to press time.