Nominee for US Ambassador to Ja tells committee energy would be key focus

Donald Tapia, American President Donald Trump's nominee for the post of US Ambassador to Jamaica, has told a Senate committee hearing that he would focus much of his attention on the energy sector if he is named to the post.

Tapia, an American businessman, told senators Wednesday that should he be confirmed, he would leverage his management skills to push this area of a strategic corporation for both countries.  

"Jamaica is ripe for the development of renewed energy source like geo-thermal, solar and wind power. Jamaica has some of the world’s highest electricity rates which reduces competitiveness and prevents them from investing in other areas such as education and business enterprises," he said.

Tapia also promised to assist Jamaica in building resilience against natural disaster which he noted continue to wreak havoc in the economy wiping out capital.

Quizzed by Senator Chris Coons about how he plans to help Jamaican advance a more sustainable power security, Tapia responded: "The USAID is now in the process of formulating a programme to work with the Jamaican Government and so forth to build resiliency for primarily hurricanes and so forth. I would support the USAID position very robustly to work with them…”

Tapia told the committee that can be a conduit between the Jamaican Government and the US business community.

“Jamaica’s proximity to the United States, and shared culture and language can facilitate increased engagement, investment, trade, and cooperation,” he said.

The Senate Committee on Foreign relations will again meet to discuss the nomination even though it’s chairman John Isakson did not provide any specifics on when the meeting will be held.

Jamaica has been without a US top diplomat since the departure of Luis Moreno in July of 2017. 

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