Left: Paulwell ... Once Jamalco is assured of long-term commitment, it will not hold us to a specific date.   Right: Mullings: Jamalco expansion is on indefinite hold until we get this natural gas.

A lengthy discussion on the memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed between the Jamaican Government and Venezuela for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the island by 2009, took place in Parliament Tuesday during a question and answer session.

Opposition Spokesman on Energy, Clive Mullings, said the Government had entered into an arrangement that was without substance.

Calling the LNG deal a "political declaration", Mr. Mullings questioned whether the Venezuelan Government would live up to its pledge to supply the fuel by the 2009 implementation date.

"This memorandum of understanding does not contain within it four corners, a timeline, a price and what was to be delivered and that the Jamalco expansion is on indefinite hold until we get this natural gas," Mullings argued.

However, Phillip Paulwell, Minister with responsibility for energy, said the Government had signed MoUs with the Venezuelan Government in the past and the country had honoured its pledge.

"This timeline is quite specific in relation to the availability of natural gas (in) 2009 and, as I also mentioned before, Jamalco has said to us that, once it is assured of a long-term commitment, it will not hold us to a specific date in 2009 ... once we can give them a long-term commitment for natural gas," Mr. Paulwell said.