A decision on the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) reform process has been delayed until Prime Minister Perry Christie returns from the United States where he is expected to meet with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on energy reform in the Caribbean, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said yesterday. Christie is traveling to Washington, DC this weekend to attend the first ever Caribbean Energy Security Summit. He is expected to return next week.

Davis said while the task force that is responsible for the reform process has completed its work, there are a few issues that Christie wants to address.

"There are one or two Is to be dotted and Ts to be crossed," Davis told The Guardian. "The prime minister has indicated that he's having a meeting next week with the vice president of the United States of America where energy will be discussed as the topic and he thought before they make the announcement perhaps he should hear what they are saying about this aspect of energy in the whole Caribbean.

"So we think we are where we want to be and it's only a question as to those things happening."

The decision has been delayed multiple times. When Christie announced the decision to restructure BEC in August 2013, the government proposed a timeline for reform, which would have seen private companies launch their operations by May 2014.
Asked about the multiple delays, Davis said it's important that the government make the right decision.

"First of all, it is a monumental step we are taking and I think we want to ensure that what we are doing is in the best interest of the Bahamian people," he said. "And we are listening and assessing and evaluating. When any question arises, we attempt to get answers to those questions before we make the final decision. But you will get a decision very, very shortly."

Earlier this month, Davis said the company that has been identified to manage the troubled utility company will also "provide some needed capital on the basis that it does not add to our national debt".

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