Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Morgan

Director General of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), J. Paul Morgan yesterday rebuffed comments made in the past on the electronic media that his agency was established as an "election gimmick".

Mr. Morgan who was giving greetings at a church service to mark the regulatory body's 10th anniversary, at the Boulevard Baptist Church in St. Andrew, said the comment was far from the truth.

"I hope that over the 10 years we have demonstrated, by our performance, the way we have handled the issues that have come before us, that (the OUR) is really far from being an election gimmick," he said.

Mr. Morgan pointed out that the OUR has been successful in balancing the issues brought by its stakeholders.

Responsibility

The OUR, is charged with the responsibility to regulate the provision of utility services in the communications, transport, elec-trical and water and sewerage sectors.

"Our very efforts and perhaps even our success at balancing the interest of our several stakeholders (might) have attracted the criticism at one time or the other of our stakeholders," said Mr. Morgan.

The public has criticised the regulatory body, for seemingly, not doing enough in the interest of the public. In fact, a survey com-missioned by the OUR last year, showed that the regulatory body received unfavourable rating for its customer service performance.

According to the study, which was conducted by Psearch Asso-ciates Ltd., on a scale of one to five, with five being the highest, the OUR received ratings of between one and 2.45. All the utility companies monitored by the OUR received ratings above three, with the lowest being 3.03.

The survey also revealed that customers were pleased with the fact that the OUR was trying to help customers with their problems. However, they accused the regulatory body of not doing enough to help customers; not inspecting meters properly; granting bill increases; protecting companies instead of consumers and not ensuring that consumers receive good service from utility providers.

But yesterday, Mr. Morgan said that the body has over the years, tried to make impartial decisions on issues brought before it.

"Over the years we tried to deliver efficient services to our stakeholders, and at all times we have tried to offer balance," he pointed out.

Mr. Morgan said that decisions made by the OUR, are decisions of moral standing.

"Our intent, has always been to do the right thing rather than the popular thing," he said.