The head of Puerto Rico's power authority has resigned amid a scandal over efforts to restore electricity to the hurricane-hit island, its governor announced Friday.

Governor Ricardo Rossello told a news conference that Ricardo Ramos had resigned as executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority to avoid "distractions."

Rossello defended Ramos' management but suggested that his resignation was necessary in the midst of the controversy. He did not say whether or not he had asked for his resignation.

More than half of the population of Puerto Rico is still without electricity nearly two months after Hurricane Maria ravaged the US territory of more than three million people.

Critics of Ramos have also questioned the decision to award a tiny American firm a $300 million contract to help restore power, a deal that has since been cancelled.

Whitefish Energy, a small company that reportedly had just two employees prior to starting work on the island, was founded two years ago and is based in the hometown of US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke -- arousing suspicions that President Donald Trump's administration could have wielded influence over the deal.

Ramos appeared before the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources earlier this week, saying that prioritizing "immediate assistance" led him to agree to the Whitefish contract.

On Friday, local newspaper El Vocero also reported that Ramos awarded a $99,500 contract to Pedro Juan Morales Gonzalez, who was involved in a 2008 bribery scandal but was not charged.

Tweet

UN urges end to Myanmar attacks against Rohingya
United Nations, United States (AFP) Nov 16, 2017
UN member-states on Thursday urged Myanmar authorities to end a military campaign against the Muslim Rohingya in a resolution adopted despite opposition from China, Russia and some regional neighbours. The General Assembly's human rights committee overwhelmingly endorsed the measure presented by Muslim countries by a vote of 135 to 10, with 26 countries abstaining. UN member-states said ... read more

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
A world of storm and tempest
When the Earth Quakes

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only