By Leslie McLean, Gleaner Writer CLAREMONT, St. Ann:
COUNCILLOR FOR the Ocho Rios division, Carol Jackson, has sharply criticised the St. Ann Parish Council for approving bills submitted by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) for service that she says is not satisfactory.
Secretary/Manager of the Council, Dorothy Delgado, had earlier disclosed that the programme to upgrade street lights in sections of the parish was still ongoing.
The areas named were St. Ann's Bay to Lewis, Llandovery and Lime Hall to Ocho Rios. The Council was advised at its monthly meeting on Thursday that JPSCo, claiming it was under extreme pressure, had asked for more time to complete the programme.
"Are we paying JPSCo for the light on the Ocho Rios bypass where the lights are not functioning? Are we still paying JPSCo although they show no urgency to give us (full) service, and are the funds the same?" demanded Mrs. Jackson, noting that the problem had been ongoing for almost a year.
Derrick Frater, of the Alexandria division, had similar complaints.
FROM NOVEMBER
"From November last year I reported that lights in my division were not working and was promised it for Christmas, and it is now August and the people are taking me to task," he told the meeting.
Mrs. Delgado, in defence, said the Council was acting on directives from the Ministry of Local Government which has asked that the bills be certified.
She noted that the Council had no authority to withhold payment as "we don't pay them (JPSCo), that is done by the Ministry of Local Government," she said.
"We write the Ministry every day there is a complaint. It is like pulling teeth. The lights are not working but the Ministry is still taking taxpayers hard-earned tax and gives it to JPSCo."
Mrs. Jackson, still on the offensive, declared: "We certify payments, even though it is paid by the Ministry. We should not be certifying the payment."
"Whether we certify or not, the money is still paid," the secretary-manager shot back.
Councillor Jackson noted, however, that the months and years of certifying the payments sends a message that the Council is satisfied with the service.
She proposed that the Council certifies only those payments for which it has got satisfactory service, and that a letter be sent to the "highest levels" within the JPSCo, not the political directorate, about the poor service provided.
