Covid19 dims light bulb project

CITIZENS eager to get their free LED bulbs from government may have to wait until covid19 is contained for its distribution.

So said Minister of Public Utilities, Robert Le Hunte, in a brief conversation with Newsday.

Le Hunte said the virus affected the timeline of the initiative which, according, to reports was supposed to begin its distribution of bulbs in April.

Speaking with Newsday on WhatsApp, he said suppliers, delivery deadlines and protocols and funding arrangements would need to be re-assessed post covid19.

In January Le Hunte said the distribution of the bulbs would be done through the TT Electricity Commission (T&TEC). At that time he said the government was preparing the next phase of the project which involved inviting companies to send in proposals, after which companies with the best price and the most effective bulbs for the project would be selected.

In the 2019 – 2020 budget it was announced that taxes would be removed on solar water heaters and LED bulbs. During the budget presentation Minister of Finance Colm Imbert said the removal of taxes on these items would take effect from January 1.