Divesting gov't shares in JPS at this time ill-advised - Paulwell

Opposition spokesman on Mining and Energy, Phillip Paulwell, is describing as ill-advised and untimely the latest proposal by the Government to divest its 19.9 per cent stake in the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS).

Paulwell, who said that Finance and Public Service Minister Audley Shaw recently alluded to the divestment of the Government's shares at this time, argued that the transaction would deprive the country of the opportunity to maximise the expected increase in the value of the energy company's assets when the energy diversification and modernisation exercise is completed.

"While we recognise and appreciate the fact that the divestment would serve to broaden the ownership base of assets in the country, we urge the Government not to squander the country's assets on the whim of expediency, but to be guided by the cost-benefit analysis of the divestment," Paulwell insisted.

Despite the Opposition's reservations to divest the JPS shares at this time, Paulwell recommended that every effort should be made to ensure that Jamaicans are given the opportunity to acquire the publicly held shares in the company.

The previous People's National Party administration had taken a policy decision to divest itself of commercial assets once the opportunities arise.

In 2016, the Development Bank of Jamaica had advised that the Government was committed to selling its stake in the JPS, the island's sole power distributor.