Comments on: Minister On Electricity Amendment Act 2019 https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/ Bermuda's #1 source for 24/7 breaking news, photos & videos Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:04:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.7.5 By: Kathy https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4978251 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 21:28:31 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4978251 Impartial body? Isn’t a former executive of BELCO now running the RA? Well done for stepping in Minister Roban and “fixing” the legislation that formerly omitted the Power of the Minister. This is in the best interest of the public that the Minister retains the power to reject something that is approved by the RA and not in the best interest of all Bermudians. The Power of the Minister is included in almost all Bermuda laws. Thank you also for forcing the IRP to be approved first prior to any sale!

]]> By: Joe Bloggs https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4977732 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 11:10:51 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4977732 How dare you question the RA! It was set up in 2011 to be an impartial body!

]]> By: Really https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4975290 Sat, 08 Jun 2019 08:25:07 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4975290 The taxpayer supports the RA to a tune of over 6M a year to regulate telecoms and electricity. Ironically they have the ex leader of BELCO now the chief executive and commissioners appointed because if their supposed expertise. Surely they have the ability to make a decision?

It’s also ironic the IRP needs to be finalized when it was supposed to be completed at the end last year based on the RA’s first public consultation. It was first issued to the RA in Feb 2018!

Maybe what Bermuda needs is an efficiency review of the RA by the minister. Where and when will they do anything meaningful to impact the service, quality and price of telecoms and electricity in Bermuda.

What is the return on investment for the cost we are spending? How much do we pay individual commissioners for the role? How are they appointed? How can the ex leader of BELCO be appointed only weeks after leaving BELCO yet commissioners can only be appointed after two years from leaving industry ?

All very curious and concerning facts. The RA chief needs to be speaking to the Bermudian public at this critical time. He is hidden in the background. He needs to be more vocal and accountable during this major change in a Bermuda “strategic asset”.

]]> By: Adklee https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4974923 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 20:47:04 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4974923 Why would your Ministerial directions not align with the due diligence of the RA? You have every confidence in them and the people have little confidence in you. So let the RA steer the ship, and you steer clear of the whole thing. If it ain’t broke, keep the PLP away from it.

]]> By: Joe Bloggs https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4974670 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 15:05:56 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4974670 “The proper regulation of the electricity sector would be further strengthened by requiring that the RA’s consent shall not be given unless an IRP has been approved and published and that, when making its decision whether or not to consent to the transfer, the RA shall have due regard to the IRP.”

That is all well and good going forward, but if it is to apply to the current situation it will amount to shifting the goal posts after the ball has been put in the net.

“I am sure that you agree that the better remedy is to provide the Minister with an opportunity to review the RA’s intended consent to the transfer of the licence to ensure that the application is in accordance with the Ministerial directions.”

And now the Minister wants a veto over the sale of a publicly traded company.

]]> By: So the RA is just an arm of the Gvt? https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4974650 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 14:45:07 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4974650 “I am sure that you agree that the better remedy is to provide the Minister with an opportunity to review the RA’s intended consent to the transfer of the licence to ensure that the application is in accordance with the Ministerial directions.

So what is the point of the RA why not just have this as a function of Ministerial portfolio.

This makes it look like the RA is a bit of a contrived oversight body.

]]> By: JohnnyB https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4974639 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 14:32:13 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4974639 This is basically a safety statement to allow the minister to pick which side of the fence he is on based on public response once then RA approves the sale… Hilarious

]]> By: truthertz https://bernews.com/2019/06/minister-on-electricity-amendment-act-2019/#comment-4974636 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 14:27:31 +0000 http://bernews.com/?p=878782#comment-4974636 What is the point of having ‘independent’ authorities if the PLP are simply going to override their decisions?

They screwed up the Gaming Commission and the prospects of a local gaming industry with a similar move.

Why does the PLP believe that they know best? Their unbridled arrogance and intolerance of differing views/opinions is slowly killing this island.

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