Mather blasts Opposition, previous gov’ts for inaction on electricity
At-Large Representative Stacy “Budda” Mather has lashed members of the Opposition and previous governments over their criticism of the government’s electricity changes, arguing that some lawmakers had years to address the problem but failed to act.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Mather suggested it was easy for lawmakers to criticise the decision now, despite successive administrations repeatedly “kicking the can” down the road while the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) struggled.
“When you have the courage to do it, what do you say?” Mather asked, after pointing to several periods when previous administrations could have acted.
He noted that some lawmakers now sitting across the aisle were in government during periods of high global oil prices, after Hurricane Irma and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Stacy Mather wasn’t there,” he said while discussing earlier opportunities to adjust electricity tariffs. “But some of us were, and some of us sat on this side. When do you make the decision to do something?”
Mather argued that while other Caribbean countries adjusted electricity tariffs in response to changing economic conditions, the BVI failed to do the same.
He was particularly critical of the period following Hurricane Irma in 2017, when much of the territory’s electricity infrastructure had to be rebuilt.
“That opportunity was missed! Severely missed!” Mather declared, arguing that government could have pushed harder towards solar energy and other reforms at the time.
His comments came as lawmakers debated the government’s recent adjustment to electricity charges, which will see larger consumers paying more while the vast majority of customers remain protected.
A shield
Mather acknowledged that the change would have consequences but argued that government could not continue spending between $13 million and $15 million annually to cushion electricity costs indefinitely.
He described the subsidy as a “shield” protecting residents from the true cost of electricity and questioned whether some of those millions could instead support seniors, renewable energy programmes and other national priorities.
Mather also pointed to RiteWay’s multimillion-dollar solar investment as evidence that major businesses can reduce their long-term electricity costs by transitioning to renewable energy.
“The one thing history will respect is that the government of the day did something,” Mather said. “Because for the years previously, with the electricity [company] begging, there was no action.”
“I ain’t gonna play politics in here,” he added. “I support this bill because we have no other choice.”
Mather’s forceful defence of the Dr Natalio Wheatley government has been noted by members of the public. The first-time legislator entered the House on the Opposition benches before crossing the floor several months ago to join the government. The move immediately prompted criticism from some residents, who say Mather quickly changed his rhetoric and became more supportive of an administration he had previously criticised.
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This guy has truly drunk the Kool-Aid and is so anti the people, does he not know unless the utility company is privately owned it will be subsidized by the government to keep the cost down, what he should have been doing is asking his government to pay its electricity bills, and move back into the Admin Complex plus have it outfitted with Solor panels and batteries, this guy has to go, real modern day Benedick Arnold, I always said I never trusted him as he always thought he was superior to regular people.
I didn’t pick this up reading this article. Since you smoke the NDP koolaid then you go run with them.
Previous government? isn’t that VIP since they been on a winning streak?
so you blaming your own party that you jump to?
my boi anti people and anti police not getting my vote. all who jump ship i cant trust you with my vote again. yall on the black list
Mather ain’t do nothing different to Mitch and Ronnie. They were elected PVIM and PVIM dissolved. They were free agents
I don’t want to hear a word from this man. He is deceptive and dangerous. Not my vote again next election
I second that. He dead in his tracks. Best he save his money and don’t run. We aint voting for no hoppers
I didn’t vote for him last time but this time me and my 10 votes in this house voting for him. Anyone who can do what’s best over party and ain’t afraid to call out previous and current members gets my vote
Mather is not a good person. If you have a discerning spirit you would tell very easily.
Sowande gave you permission to speak, or you are talking because he is away in India?
YESSSSSSSS, just yesterday this man ran across my mind and I said he went ghost because there was not a peep out of himself Yeah Natalio tells him when to speak and what to say. To know I wasted my vote last election on his f** worthless sold out behind.
I think part of the problem is how the subsidy was handled. Government was putting $1 million per month into electricity relief for three months, so consumers were partly shielded from how serious the increase in fuel costs really was. Then the relief ended and people suddenly felt the full impact at once. BVIEC has said fuel prices had risen sharply, including a 55% jump in one month earlier this year, so the underlying pressure was already there.
A better approach would have been to gradually reduce the government subsidy each month instead of cutting it off suddenly. That would have allowed households to see their bills increasing little by little and start adjusting their consumption before being hit with a major increase.
The reality is that the world is dealing with conflict and higher fuel costs. When gas and diesel go up at the pump, I adjust by driving less. Electricity should be treated the same way. Maybe we cannot have the A/C and fans running all day, TVs and PS5s constantly on, and water heaters running unnecessarily and expect our consumption habits to remain unchanged while energy costs rise.
It is like moving a fish into water at a different temperature—you gradually acclimatize it instead of shocking it all at once. Government should have gradually reduced the subsidy, allowing consumers to acclimatize to the true cost of electricity and adjust their usage accordingly, rather than shielding everyone for three months and then suddenly exposing them to the full increase.
Mather stop talking nonsense. There was a time in recent years when the corporation had money.
Over the years, they have hired a set of people in management, paid high salaries, and it is alleged that the company bought a lot of real estate for nothing.
The people need answers; stop trying to cover people backs.
BVI election is nothing more than a popularity contest. That is why we end up with a bunch of clowns.
The man has at last shown his real face- f— off back to YEP Mather
One termer loading. He and Lorna in she own corner might well lose next election.
Mather you came in as the integrity man you will go out as the sell out
Ronnie failed as an engineer at the helm of BVIEC. Mark Vanterpool failed miserably when he held the portfolio. Mather is correct on his assertion th at successive past governments did nothing with BVIEC – just like WSD!!
Opportunities were missed and as evidence by the recent court judgement against HRM Customs; one can see why the country is undergoing so much shocks and stresses!
If some sort of privatization is required then do something!!! The problem Mather highlighted is the fact that many of them (ministers) do absolutely nothing to advance reforms! Mather made valid points and who in their feelings just as immature as those who cannot come to terms with their failed policies and actions!
@The morons out commenting – What have you been smoking, the comments about Ronnie and Mark are totally wrong. stop chatting bs. it was Ralph and Alvin dem no-good rolls royce engines and F and W who give biwater free electricity that put the bviec in the position you talking bout. stop your lies and untruths.
Marlon, Mark, Myron, Ronnie, Coy, Shereen are the real cr**ks are one here!! NDP 1/2/3 are some real losers that did absolutely nothing while simply enriching them selves while in power!! Mather hands are way cleaner than those mentioned above. Myron can’t find a party, mark wants total control & Marlon is just a huge waste of space and energy! They can’t survive without double dipping and their names are always mentioned in dodgy dealings – check the record plebs!
The young dude in the 3rd even he got some nasty baggage to unpack this election season! The A13 party is a bunch of losers that have been MIA all these years and looking votes to go do what? Y’all can’t hack it in professional work life or business; and think y’all can come solve the dire problems? GTFOH!
Mather got more gonads than ayo to say what needs to be said and ayo just hot & bothered especially some wil ma cowbirds!!
This sound like …. Conveniently he left out Mitch Turnbull cause they does be working together.
NDP bloggers out in numbers (1) ayo keyboard ain’t hurting??? We VIP supporters who didn’t support him will cancel out you all sad voters. We voted PVIM not NDP and will never vote any thing NDP
NDP so desperate they merging with ALL13 to build an alliance. Keep blogging the polls will tell
I like Mather stays true to who he is. Wither on the government side or on the opposition he remains to call a spade a spade
Well, I was wondering why their prices gone so high! We are paying for this investment in solar energy!
JUST ANOTHER UK AGENT
GIVOING THE LATEST NEWS TO THE COLONIAL MASTERS
DON’T MIND THE TATTOOS AND LOCKS