Vaz floats policies to ‘limit movements’, preserve energy security amid oil volatility

Amid the volatility in the world oil market, Jamaica’s energy security remains intact and there is no need for panic, the Government has sought to assure.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz, who delivered the assurance yesterday, however also signalled that, as part of an attempt to encourage energy conservation, the Government would have to consider policies that would “limit movements”.

“I don’t know whether we go back to a COVID hybrid version of working from home, but something has to happen,” Vaz said, making reference to the no-movement days and other restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

“The level of traffic that I am seeing on the road doesn’t show me that anybody realises that there is a war, and the price of fuel and oil is just continuing to go up and up,” he added.

Vaz, along with Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth and information, insisted that no decision has been taken.

“I am sure that the Cabinet will deliberate and the Government will come up with plans as to how to conserve,” Vaz said.

However, he said Jamaica’s energy security is anchored in the refining capacity at Petrojam, the government-owned oil refinery, and established finished product contracts.

“So, it’s not a matter of not being able to buy, it’s the price. So there is no need to panic,” Vaz told journalists during a post-Cabinet press conference at Jamaica House in St Andrew yesterday.

He said the Government is very clear on what it needs to do to ensure supplies to the Jamaican market.

livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com