The Fair Trading Commision (FTC) panel presiding over the Barbados Light and Power Company’s rate hearing adjourned to consider a re-submission of the motion from the Office of the Public Counsel for a stay in the hearings.
In the opening session on the second day of the hearings, intervenors as well as the legal team for the applicant argued the motion, with the intervenors unanimously agreeing that the Public Counsel should be given more time to bring themselves up to speed.
Attorney for the BL&PC, Ramon Alleyne, KC, contended that the Office of the Public Counsel had no locus standi (right or capacity to bring an action) in the hearings.
He also shared the view that an application to the High Court for a stay of the hearings were not relevant and the panel should, therefore, move ahead.
In response, Public Counsel Sharon Deane said that such an assertion was “ridiculous”.
At 9:53 a.m., the FTC panel adjourned to deliberate on the decision.