By Tyrone Reid Staff Reporter
MCKENZIE
MAYOR OF Kingston Desmond McKenzie blasted the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) yesterday for its refusal to restore more than 10,000 malfunctioning street lights across the Corporate Area, which he said is facilitating crime.
"More than half the city is in darkness. We cannot continue to pay taxpayers' hard-earned dollar for services and we just don't get the services," said Mayor Mc-Kenzie, as he addressed the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation's monthly press briefing.
The mayor said he receives at least ten letters on a daily basis complaining about poor street lighting, which the council pays approximately $20 million monthly to maintain.
"The correspondence tells you that where the lights are out, a lot of criminal activities have taken place, including women being raped," he said, and every letter he receives he forwards to the JPS.
He issued an ultimatum to the power company to deal with the situation, which he said worsened after the passage of Hurri-cane Ivan.
"We are giving the JPS two weeks to meet with the council. I think we have waited long enough and two weeks is what we (are) giving to get a response with a comprehensive programme as to when the lights in the city will be dealt with."
Winsome Callum, corporate communications manager of the power company, said she could not confirm or deny the allegations levelled against her company.
"I cannot confirm that figure but we do know that there are some street lights outstanding and we are working with the parish councils to ensure that street lights are repaired," she said.
Ms. Callum told The Gleaner that her company has effected repairs to several street lights since the start of the year.
"Our records indicate that we have repaired just under 1,000 street lights in Kingston and St. Andrew since the start of this year," said Ms Callum.
Raymond Silvera, deputy director general at the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), said his administration is unaware of the situation but expressed a willingness to play the role of a mediator.
"The KSAC should properly bring it to our attention but we will be looking into the matter since it has been brought to our attention," he said.
