B.T.L. Chair Say G.O.B. Move is “Fair Game”

Mark Lizarraga

And while Chairman Lizarraga is steering his staff towards creating a more competitive B.T.L., he says in light of G.O.B.’s financial constraints, and the competitive environment the company operates in, G.O.B.’s move to Smart is understandable.

Mark Lizarraga, Chairman, B.T.L.

“The business man in me, in some sense understands what they are going through. They have been asked to operate with a significant cut to their budget, a twenty percent cut in their budget. So, the business man in me understands that look, they have to cut their expenses as well to survive. As the Chairman of B.T.L., I would have love for all their business to come to B.T.L., obviously. But, I think we cannot expect to be entitled to it. I think we have to fight for it. I think people have to earn their business. It is a travesty that our country is in the financial situation that it is in today. It is in a travesty that the country was left in this financial situation it is today, that we have to take these measures, and that people in government have to take these measures to save a penny here and a penny there. But we can do better and we will.”

Reporter

“Do you believe the decision of this government to move to Smart Services is fair game?”

Mark Lizarraga

“I think it is fair game. Is it a game that I like? Obviously it is not. I have my own biases. I want to generate as much business as I could for B.T.L., and I want to see this company, as all our team players and board members want, to see this company as profitable. That is our mandate. But, we live in a country where have to compete. We are not like B.E.L. you know, or WASA, or the other public utilities. They are the only game in town. No, we operate in a competitive environment. So, we have to compete too.”