Energy Minister chides JPS over estimated bills, pace of power restoration

   

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has followed through on a notice that some customers would receive estimated bills, despite strong objection from the government, parliamentary opposition and customers.

 

The utility company on Friday said some customers would receive estimated bills for the June to July period as Beryl has impacted its ability to deliver actual readings.

 

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Minister Vaz noted that JPS was able to issue the estimated bills based on the terms of its licence.

 

Mr. Vaz doubled down on his criticism of the utility company for the move, saying such a decision at a time when Jamaicans were reeling from the effects of Beryl, was unreasonable. 

 

"In relation to this matter of estimated bills, I can clearly state that those bills have actually been sent out and people have been receiving them up to this moment as I speak. This is not a matter of legality, this is a matter of morality. Madam Speaker, I don't know who took that decision. But I think that somebody must be held accountable for a decision like that in a time like this," he declared. 

 

Mr. Vaz said he hopes JPS will do what he terms "the right thing" in relation to providing relief to its customers.

 

"There must have been some kind of arrangement that could have been made to cushion and not come to a situation where the government is at odds with the JPS. It's not a good situation, but it is needed at this time. And I'm hoping that JPS will do the right thing, as we all make mistakes in life, and come with something for the JPS customers in the coming hours," he suggested.  

 

 

Meanwhile, the Energy Minister has again rapped JPS for its approach to electricity restoration efforts post Hurricane Beryl.

 

Minister Vaz questioned why three weeks after the hurricane, customers in parishes that were not among those worst affected by Beryl are still without electricity.

 

He also called out JPS for missing restoration deadlines it published and providing misleading information in relation to areas where electricity has been restored. 

 

"What do I mean by that, Madam Speaker? They say 'sections'. And I have a situation just yesterday where the member from North Central Clarendon showed me 'sections of Mocho', and when I made inquiries and asked to give me evidence, over 50 per cent of Mocho was not restored."

 

The minister noted that the situation highlights the need to "give accurate information and detailed information to reduce the frustration and the misery index".  

 

Mr. Vaz said an update provided by JPS on Monday indicated that 19,000 customers across the island remain without electricity. This figure does not include the parish of St. Elizabeth.

 

He said he will again meet with JPS executives following the outcome of a meeting between the light and power company and the Office of Utilities Regulation.

 

"Based on the results of that, it is my intention to call a meeting with the management, the board, and the shareholders of JPS so they can further understand my concerns and for them to give me a detailed schedule of locations for customers still not connected and a firm schedule with timelines for them to address this. And most important in this will be what additional resources are being engaged for this to be done," announced Minister Vaz.  

 

He said JPS has agreed to provide a restoration schedule every three days. The schedule is to be published on the company's website as well as its social media pages.