The High Court of Barbados is poised to determine whether the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) must compel the Barbados Light and Power Company (BLPC) to disclose financial documents. This decision follows renewed legal action by public interest intervenors, reigniting a prolonged dispute over electricity rates. Earlier this month, the court canceled a scheduled hearing after discovering that no formal application had been properly filed. However, last week, the intervenor team, led by Ricky Went, resubmitted a comprehensive set of documents, including their notice of application, a certificate of urgency, and a draft order they seek the court to approve. The court has set next Wednesday to hear the application, filed by the intervenors’ lead attorney, senior counsel Hal Gollop. The case centers on whether the FTC can require BLPC to provide information following its February 2023 rate review decision, which the intervenors argue remains unresolved. The FTC maintains that the process is concluded and lacks the statutory authority to mandate the release of the documents. A hearing initially scheduled for last Tuesday was canceled when the court discovered procedural errors in the filing process. Senior counsel for the FTC, Alrick Scott, informed the court that BLPC had not been served with any notice of application and was unaware of Gollop’s filing. Further investigation revealed no formal application had been made, prompting the court to vacate the hearing date. The intervenors argue that analyzing BLPC’s financial data is crucial before the FTC issues its final ruling on the rate decision, as rate proceedings are infrequent. They emphasize the importance of public trust in the regulatory process. However, the FTC, through Scott, has reiterated its refusal to comply, citing no statutory obligation to release the requested documents.
High Court to hear challenge of FTC’s refusal to demand Light & Power financial records
