THE THEFT of electricity has long been a matter of concern not only to the Jamaica Public Service Company in terms of loss of revenue but also to paying customers who have been subsidising the illegality of scores of persons and firms. For years the theft of electricity has become so sophisticated that for many communities and business places, payment for usage is the exception rather than the norm. In that regard the 30-day amnesty granted electricity thieves across the island to have their operations legalised is an important step which we expect to be followed up with strong action for those who fail to comply when the grace period ends on May 9.
It is true that JPS representatives backed up by the security forces have swooped down on communities in previous operations to cut off illegal connections. But because of the failure to monitor these areas, the illegality soon resurfaces. The danger to the JPS crew in these operations cannot be overstated as indicated in a report in yesterday's Gleaner. A sub-contractor who was part of a team that went to disconnect illegal supplies was attacked and killed by a lone gunman in the St. Andrew Park area. We support the JPS' efforts to have all legal customers pay their bills and for the thieves to be punished where they ignore the amnesty offer.
There are, however, other aspects of the JPS' operations which need to be examined carefully. As indicated by a correspondent in our Letter of the Day published on the page opposite, there is an untidy situation of customers being doubled-billed for some charges when they go to make payments. The move by the JPS and other utility companies to divest themselves of direct bill payment services has opened the door to some of the companies charging the customer a fee for transactions - a fee that has already been built into the customer's bill. The JPS and Office of Utility Regulation need to issue a clear and unambiguous statement on this policy. This is particularly important in light of the move by the company to divest more of its offices of the responsibility for direct payment transactions.
It is imperative that the OUR carries out its watchdog functions, especially if government goes ahead with proposals to sell its remaining 20 per cent shares in the electricity supply company.
