The Editor, Sir:

Every day it becomes more apparent to me that government leaders are devoid of business acumen and bankrupt of financial and operational ideas required to enhance the institutions they manage.

The Q&A session between Gleaner reporter Becki Patterson and NWC president E.G. Hunter provided lucid evidence of this inveterate fact.

The National Water Commission has incurred a 72 per cent increase in operational expenses over the last three years, hence they require a rate increase to cover their cost. This is logical, however, the factors which form the basis of the rate increase is where the sophistry of Hunter's claim becomes apparent. Hunter wants the consumer to pay an increased bill rate, which guarantees a required rate of return.

This type of pricing mechanism only perpetuates inefficiency in operations, and as we continue on this slippery slope, consumers are hijacked by the institution with annual rate increases to sustain their guaranteed profit.

Our only hope is that the regulatory authorities grant the increase to NWC with a quid pro quo proviso, for example, their operational expenses must meet certain benchmarks, such as a three-five per cent decline each year over the next 10 years.

But the inclusion of a proviso of this nature is beyond the cognitive realm of the regulatory Neanderthals. God help us.

I am, etc.,

ALFRADO VERNON

decassidi71@hotmail.com