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There has been a major shake-up in the management of Jamaica's multi-billion dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project.
Our news centre has been informed that responsibility for the country's transition to LNG has been removed from the Energy Minister's portfolio.
Sources say this is effective immediately.
The LNG Project, which is crucial to the much touted Energy Policy, will now be managed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
The Steering Committee, which previously guided the project, has been disbanded and a new one is being constituted.
Highly placed sources in the Government say the Prime Minister summoned Energy Minister James Robertson to a meeting on Wednesday afternoon where he was informed of the shake-up.
RJR News understands that the gas project has been dogged by several problems and there were concerns about its progress.
Sources say in the meeting with Mr. Robertson, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment and outlined details of the overhaul.
A submission will be made to Cabinet on Monday detailing the changes.
Our news centre tried unsuccessfully to contact the Energy Minister for a comment.
The decision to introduce LNG into the local energy market was first made in the 1990's by the PJ Patterson-led administration.
LNG, because of its cleaner burning and low price in comparison to oil, is increasingly being promoted worldwide for generating electricity.
In June, Jamaica's LNG project moved a step closer with the announcement of the preferred bidder for the construction of a Floating Storage Regasification facility.
A consortium comprising Belgian firm Exmar, Colombian gas distribution company, Promigas and local consultants Caribbean LNG Jamaica Limited was selected to implement the project.
Our news centre has been informed that responsibility for the country's transition to LNG has been removed from the Energy Minister's portfolio.
Sources say this is effective immediately.
The LNG Project, which is crucial to the much touted Energy Policy, will now be managed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
The Steering Committee, which previously guided the project, has been disbanded and a new one is being constituted.
Highly placed sources in the Government say the Prime Minister summoned Energy Minister James Robertson to a meeting on Wednesday afternoon where he was informed of the shake-up.
RJR News understands that the gas project has been dogged by several problems and there were concerns about its progress.
Sources say in the meeting with Mr. Robertson, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment and outlined details of the overhaul.
A submission will be made to Cabinet on Monday detailing the changes.
Our news centre tried unsuccessfully to contact the Energy Minister for a comment.
The decision to introduce LNG into the local energy market was first made in the 1990's by the PJ Patterson-led administration.
LNG, because of its cleaner burning and low price in comparison to oil, is increasingly being promoted worldwide for generating electricity.
In June, Jamaica's LNG project moved a step closer with the announcement of the preferred bidder for the construction of a Floating Storage Regasification facility.
A consortium comprising Belgian firm Exmar, Colombian gas distribution company, Promigas and local consultants Caribbean LNG Jamaica Limited was selected to implement the project.
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