GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten met with the Bureau Telecommunication and Post on Tuesday to assess the implementation of the new supervisory framework for utilities company GEBE and determine the status of BTP’s review of the latest fuel-clause adjustment.
During the meeting, BTP informed the Minister that GEBE had submitted most of the information requested in a July 13 letter. However, portions of the documentation were unclear and require further substantiation before BTP can complete its assessment.
BTP has given GEBE until July 27 to submit the additional information required. GEBE has indicated that it intends to meet the deadline.
The meeting also confirmed that BTP did not receive the supporting information necessary to validate the latest adjustment of the electricity fuel clause to XCG 0.49 before the increase was implemented.
At the time of the adjustment, the advance-submission and validation procedures required under the newly established supervisory framework were still being operationalised.
Under the process now being implemented, GEBE will be expected to submit all relevant calculations and supporting documentation before any proposed fuel-clause adjustment for the following billing cycle is finalised. This will allow BTP sufficient time to subject the proposed calculation to technical, financial and regulatory scrutiny before it takes effect.
“Activating BTP as Supervisor was the first step. Government’s responsibility now is to ensure that the authority created by the decree is being used effectively and that the public receives verified answers,” Heyliger-Marten said.
“The latest adjustment was not validated by BTP in advance. That is a gap which must be addressed. The new process must ensure that future calculations reach BTP with sufficient time and supporting documentation for proper examination.”
BTP cautioned that its examination of the next fuel-clause calculation will not, by itself, amount to approval of the existing fuel-clause methodology or GEBE’s wider electricity tariff structure.
Both the fuel-clause methodology and the complete electricity tariff structure will require a more comprehensive technical, financial and regulatory review.
BTP’s work will be carried out in three phases.
The first phase covers the implementation of the supervisory framework and the examination of the fuel-clause methodology.
The second phase will examine GEBE’s complete tariff structure, including the different consumer categories and provisions for social tariffs. This phase will also support recommendations for the establishment of a lawful national tariff decree.
The third phase will address the legislation required to provide broader regulatory authority and allow for the continued oversight of GEBE’s other concession obligations, including requirements related to renewable energy.
Heyliger-Marten said the new framework establishes a clear chain of accountability among GEBE, BTP and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication.
Under that structure, GEBE is responsible for providing complete and properly substantiated information. BTP must then subject the calculations and underlying methodology to technical, financial and regulatory scrutiny. TEATT must consider BTP’s findings and determine whether further action is warranted in the public interest.
“Cooperation is necessary, but it does not replace accountability. BTP cannot complete its assessment until the requested substantiation is received and examined. I expect the July 27 deadline to be met and the public to be informed of what the evidence supports,” the Minister said.
TEATT will provide a further update after July 27, once BTP has reviewed the additional documentation and advised whether the information submitted is sufficient to reach a conclusion on the latest fuel-clause adjustment.
