FOR A while it appeared that a cultural gap had opened up between American-owned Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) and Jamaican regulatory agencies representing the interests of the government and the general public. This came to light as the result of a dispute between the power company and the Bureau of Standards over the accuracy of meters installed by the company to record electricity usage by commercial customers, many of whom, including a member of the board of directors of the bureau, have been complaining about escalating bills...
JPSCo's objection to the meter-checking regime being insisted on by the Bureau is that the cost for each inspection would be more than the cost for installing a new meter, a cost which the company would have to pass on to its customers. As a pragmatic argument, this seems to be an important consideration regardless of the legalities involved. On the other hand, there is no question that the Bureau has the right, on behalf of consumers, to ensure, within reasonable tolerances, that the JPSCo's meters are accurate.
The general public, faced with increasing electricity bills and more frequent power cuts, is less than friendly in its attitude to the company and sceptical about its bona fides. The bureau, sensing this public reaction, took a hard line...
It is good that both sides have now agreed on a framework that will guide the testing of meters, ensuring a role for the bureau in ensuring accuracy. This role will not have adverse financial impact on customers or the company's operations.
TODAY'S EXTRACT IS FROM THE EDITORIAL PUBLISHED A YEAR AGO OCTOBER 25, 2003:
