By Monique Hepburn, Staff Reporter 
Kerr-Jarrett
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE MONTEGO Bay Chamber of Commerce is urging the Government to increase the licensing fees and importation duties on gasolene-powered vehicles in order to promote the use of vehicles using diesel fuel.
Mark Kerr-Jarrett, chairman of the Energy Committee of the Chamber, made the recommendation Thursday at the launch of the Conservation Initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology, at the Wexford Court Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James.
"We are treading on some dangerous areas in what we are proposing but we need to examine our modes of transportation, especially for the commuting public," Mr. Kerr-Jarrett said.
This call comes against the backdrop of the spiralling oil crisis worldwide.
The conservation initiative is a concerted effort by the Government and private sector to explore alternative energy sources and to educate the public on how to conserve energy.
REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Regarding Jamaica's gasolene consumption as critical, Mr. Kerr-Jarrett noted that the Government needs to take a serious look at implementing mechanisms that could reduce gasolene dependency and overall energy consumption.
"We would like to suggest that the Minister of Finance (Dr. Omar Davies) seriously look at promoting the use of diesel vehicles nationally by significantly reducing the import duties on all classification of diesel vehicles, especially cars, SUVs and pick-ups," he said.
Mr. Kerr-Jarrett insisted that if the Government were to implement these measures, the result would be a reduction in fuel consumption which, in the long term, would realise significant savings for the local economy.
Said he: "We are proposing that the duty structure for vehicles be realigned from engine size to fuel type so that you are looking at gasolene as opposed to diesel."
"As part of the persuasion (to encourage the use of fuel efficient diesel vehicles) Government should move towards increasing road licensing fees so we could also move towards putting a heavier burden on the gasolene (dependent) vehicles."
