Paulwell accuses JPS of 'monopolistic arrogance' - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Friday | May 18, 2012

Paulwell accuses JPS of 'monopolistic arrogance' - Business - Jamaica Gleaner - Friday | May 18, 2012: "Energy minister Phillip Paulwell says that Govern-ment can, as a last option, sell Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to new investors rather than allow the utility to maintain its "monopolistic arrogance".

Paulwell did not say how Jamaica would force the sale of the power company, which would likely require its takeover if its owners are hostile to the plan, given the Government's minority 19.9 per cent holdings.

"There are serious players coming to us and any implied threat can be responded to," Paulwell said midweek.

Its the latest tit-for-tat surrounding the push to end JPS' monopoly on power distribution, and follows comment by JPS CEO Kelly Tomblin Tuesday that Jamaica would likely have to buy out the majority owners of the utility if it wanted to pursue liberalisation.

JPS' current exclusive licence has another 16-year run to 2027."

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