Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard criticized the leadership of former Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Executive Chairman Michael Moss and claimed that during his time, Moss did "absolutely and totally nothing" for the company.
"He was just there and he ran the place with an iron hand, and the four years that [he] was there at BEC, I never saw him once," said Maynard.
While Maynard's attack on Moss appeared to come out of nowhere, in June 2016, Moss waded into the fracas unleashed by Guardian Business reports of an intended rate increase for electricity. Moss said the utility's woes date directly back to the 2003 decision to reduce the electricity rate, and he charged that despite the fact that the rate was restored seven years later, the damage was by that time complete.
Moss subsequently outlined a solution that would "yield an adequate quantum of low cost, reliable generation plant for BEC to meet the needs of its customers at a capital cost of less than $100 million". Moss found the figures tossed out by some - including Maynard, who said BEC needs to invest $800 million, and Moss' successor, Leslie Miller, who said the cost would be around $750 million - unnecessarily high.
While speaking at an event last week, Maynard addressed his concerns with another previous chairman of the company.
He said former chairman of BEC, Leslie Miller, had legitimate concerns, but noted that Miller's concerns were not executed properly.
"He wanted to push through stuff without going the union way," said Maynard.
Maynard also asserted that the electricity company needs money.
"I told the government that what I expected was to have BEC have a propane/natural gas plant, and I expected Bahamians to go away to be trained to run this plant, which we could do," said Maynard.
He explained his electricity bills have significantly decreased as a result of a drop in fuel charges because of oil prices declining in the global market.
Maynard said, "You can imagine if we get natural gas to go a further 50 percent on that."
He pointed out that the company currently has "ancient equipment", which has led to a environmental disaster for areas such as Clifton Pier.
"We need a brand new and modern power plant," said Maynard.

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