Sometimes it takes an extraordinary act of courage and determination to remind everyone of their responsibility. This is precisely what Jeff Lingaya, a young man of remarkable lucidity and fortitude, has accomplished through his continuing hunger strike. Indeed, by putting his life on the line to not only protest against a project that goes against every tenet of good governance, sound economics and sustainable development, but also to demand that the contracts tying the country to the private companies that produce the bulk of our energy are made public. Government has, in principle, agreed to the latter and the ball is now in the court of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). It’ll be interesting now to see how they react to what is, to all intents and purposes, a worthy drive for greater transparency and participative democracy in the energy sector.

For far too long, these contracts have been shrouded in opacity, not to say utmost secrecy. As a result, they’ve provided a fertile breeding ground for suspicion and, worse, a justification for further objectionable behaviour. This situation is untenable, all the more so in an era where our energy policy will increasingly define who we are as a country. The IPPs will thus have to think long and hard about their next move. Their initial reaction will perhaps be to seek to keep the contracts confidential, as they always have done. Hopefully though, they will be able to overcome this defensive reflex and convince their boards to acquiesce to government’s request. In the short-term, doing so may be a source of some discomfort for them, as the contracts are submitted to public scrutiny. In the long-term however, it’ll prove a salutary move for both them and the country, and if ever there was a time to act gracefully, it’s now.   

This brings us to the other concession made by government is to set up a National Energy Audit Commission (NEAC) entrusted with devising an energy policy that better reflects the country’s aspirations and strengths. Its first job will be to review the contract between the Central Electricity Board (CEB) and CT Holdings, an entity whose owners remain unknown. Jeff Lingaya’s support committee has even offered to help the ministry of Environment and sustainable development, which has hidden behind a decision by the Enviroment Appeal Tribunal to shirk its responsibilities, to challenge the project in court. Indeed, the ministry was unaware of a clause in the relevant legislation allowing it request a new Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report. All these developments could help give the country what it really needs: modernity. Not in the materialistic sense of course, but rather in terms of values such as openness, forward thinking and accountability.

“My suffering is nothing compared to the suffering the Earth has endured, continues to endure and is programmed to endure”, Jeff Lingaya said yesterday evening. These words should resonate in the minds of all those who still have a role to play in resolving this sad business: the Prime minister, the CEB, ministry of Environment, the IPPs and the owners of CT Holdings, whoever they may be.  

Nicholas RAINER