Zia Mian, director general of the OUR, at a recent Gleaner Editors' Forum. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Zia Mian, director general of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), has vowed not to allow any interest group to capture the entity.

"We are not in the business of making people happy. The regulator is not in the business of becoming popular with anybody," Mian told a Gleaner Editors' Forum recently.

The OUR was established by an act of Parliament in 1995 to regulate the operations of utility companies. The agency, which has stressed that it is not a consumer-advocacy group, said it has saved consumers $26 billion in the last six years.

Not under his watch

Mian said every stakeholder - government, utility providers and consumers - has an interest in capturing the OUR. However, he said this would not happen under his watch.

"We can't be pushed around. We will take the decisions which are necessary," Mian said.

The OUR is mandated to approve tariff increases for utility providers, as well as to ensure that the providers deliver minimum guaranteed standards.

Many consumers have accused the OUR of not doing enough to protect their interest. Government has also clashed with the OUR with regard to how the agency interprets its role.

Mian said the business of regulating utilities was a lonely job.

"No matter what the regulator does, there will be dislike, because somebody will always be unhappy," Mian said.

Prepared to walk

The OUR head told the Editors' Forum that he was prepared to walk if he should come under any undue pressure to have the agency serve sectional interests.

"You need a regulator head who does not need a job and I don't need a job. If you don't like what I am doing, I can leave tomorrow," Mian said.

He added: "I am not depending on my living as a regulator. I am a retired person. I am offering my services (expecting) to keep independence, and if that independence cannot be kept I can go."

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com