Government to seek compensation for motorists affected by bad gas

The Government is paving the way for motorists affected by contaminated gas to be compensated.

Phillip Paulwell, the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, made the disclosure during an oil and gas exploration tour of the vessel BGP Challenger at the Kingston Harbour this morning.

“We will be looking at the possibility of a Government-sponsored class  action on behalf of consumers,” said Paulwell. “We want to show that we are fully in support of our consumers”
He added: “One of the reasons that we have been so cautious is to preserve the rights of our consumers. ... Even before that, we are now looking at legal possibilities including legal class action.”

Paulwell told The Gleaner that Cabinet on Monday gave the greenlight for such an undertaking after the three-member committee that he will be chairing prepares its report.

Other members of the committee are Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton and Attorney General Patrick Atkinson.

The Parliamentary Opposition yesterday served notice that it would be raising the matter at today’s sitting of the House of Representatives.