As many Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd customers cry out against high electricity bills, this pole in Majesty Gardens, St Andrew, shows a large number of 'throw-up' lines used for energy theft. - Norman Grindley /Acting Photography Editor

The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) said Tuesday that it has paid over all outstanding debts for August to Petrojam, in keeping with recent agreements made between the management of both organisations.

Energy Minister Clive Mullings last week revealed in Parliament that the light and power company owed in excess of $5 billion, of which $2.9 billion had been due.

JPS further said in Tuesday's release that it was on schedule to pay its September bills by the end of October, based on the terms of the agreement.

The utility company said steep and unpredictable increases in fuel costs have contributed to delays in its payments to Petrojam, in addition to late payments by its customers.

The company has also been feeling the wrath of hundreds of disgruntled customers, many of whom have mounted protests outside its offices against excessive increases in their utility bills.