Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

Mullings

Citing surging oil prices as one of the major challenges he is expected to face as the new Minister of Energy, Mining and Telecommunications, Clive Mullings says he is ready, willing and able to effect the changes necessary to revitalise the country's energy industry.

Mr. Mullings said he was honoured to be serving the people of Jamaica, but also anticipated that his assigned portfolio would present a number of challenges.

Real challenges

"There are real challenges, especially where energy is concerned, but we are equal to the task. With the kind of support I expect from the ministry officials, the experts and consultants, I'm sure we will achieve them," he said.

One of the main issues identified by Mr. Mullings was the high cost of oil. "We are looking at oil at US$80 per barrel," he said. "It is, therefore, extremely critical for us to find cheaper fuel sources at this point."

He also said the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has a mandate to reduce the cost of electricity and he is committed to working towards this goal.

In its manifesto, the JLP identified global oil prices as a real threat to the nation's economic growth and stability. It said "Jamaica needs to move with greater speed and purpose to diversify its energy sources if we are to enjoy energy security at prices that will allow us to achieve competitiveness and sustained growth".

Through its diversification efforts, the JLP proposed to support and continue exploration to determine whether commercial quantities of oil or gas exist within Jamaica's territorial waters.

Mr. Mullings also highlighted his plans for the further implementation of telecommunications programmes in schools.

First aim

"The first aim will also be to get the e-learning project off the ground and running so that we can expand the kind of infiltration in schools in terms of computers and the whole process of learning," he said.

The former deputy head boy of Kingston College and Member of Parliament for West Central, St. James, said it was always his dream to serve his country through representational politics. "It was just the other day that I was contemplating how fast things seemed to have moved since that initial dream and I must thank God," he said.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com

Clive Mullings has held the titles of: