THE KINGSTON and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has threatened to withdraw $2 million from monthly light bills unless the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) speedily repairs malfunctioning street lights.
The Corporation currently pays $18 million per month for electricity and according to Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, "The KSAC is of the feeling that payment have been and are continuing to be made for non-existent street lights."
In his monthly address to councillors, Mayor McKenzie said there were 23,000 street lights in Kingston and St. Andrew. He said later that based on information gleaned "we estimate that over 2,500 street lights are not working."
The 2,500 malfunctioning lights works out to about 10 per cent of this number. The 10 per cent would be subtracted from monthly bills now being paid. Town Clerk Errol Greene explained that the KSAC would make its calculation and look at advising relevant authorities that a set amount be paid.
"If the JPSCo doesn't act and act speedily, we will recommend that we only pay for the services they are offering to the municipality," said Mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie during a press briefing, which followed yesterday's monthly meeting of the KSAC's council. The meeting was held at 24 Church Street, downtown Kingston.
ENTITIES AT LOGGERHEADS
According to the Mayor, the KSAC and the electricity company have been at loggerheads over having to pay electricity bills for malfunctioning streetlights. The Corporation met with top management from the light and power company on Friday and the JPSCo promised to repair all non-functioning street lights within the next four to six weeks.
The Mayor said the KSAC is currently carrying out an audit to determine the numbers of malfunctioning street lights. Maps are being developed, which will be shared with JPSCo, he said. The cost of the audit will be met from $2 million in monthly "savings" that will be realised, Mayor McKenzie said.
Other matters discussed yesterday included the fact that the Whitehall division will be working with the JPSCo to regularise customers. Councillor for the division, Deputy Mayor Lee Clark, said residents suggested it after losing their homes to fire started from illegal connections. Three homes have been razed since January 1, 2003, he said.
