THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON JULY 31, 2001 a load-shedding exercise was carried out by the JPSCo in Portmore for about three hours between 12 midday and 3:00 p.m. Braeton New Town Phase 6 to be exact.
On that day I was fortunate to be at home due to a slight accident that prevented me from going to work. When the power came on I realised that something was burning. When I went to investigate I saw smoke coming from my television set. I quickly unplugged it from the socket.
My microwave also was damaged, as the timer is not working. The following day I called the JPSCo office in Spanish Town and reported the matter. I was told to make a formal report, this I did and a few weeks after an officer by the name of Errol Sommerville came to my home and did a report. I was told I would receive a letter on the matter from the head office within the following week with regards to the outcome of his investigation.
After not receiving any correspondence I called the office and was told that a letter was mailed out to me. I then requested that a copy of the letter be faxed to me. To my disbelief I was told that they will not accept liability for the damage done to my appliances. In essence what the report is saying is that I should have a surge protector to protect my appliances, as I was aware that a load-shedding exercise was being done. I also requested a copy of the report and was told that I am not privy to it as it was done for the purpose of JPSCo.
I have tried without success to get some compensation for my appliances but cannot get anywhere as they are still claiming that compensation is out of the question. OUR is aware of the situation and is in dialogue with them. I spoke to a Dawn Graham at the JPSCo head office and she told me that they would not honour the claim and a letter to this effect has been sent to OUR, as damage to my appliances is a result of load-shedding.
This is ridiculous as load-shedding is a direct result of JPSCo incapacity to effectively manage power supply to consumers.
What course of action can we consumers take who have suffered damage at the hand of JPSCo and still have to be paying light bills every month. This really angers me as I am without my television and the use of my microwave and they still enjoy receiving my money every month!
I am, etc.,
ROSE McCOTIE
Lot 509
Braeton Phase 6
