Press Release from the JPSCo:
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| Orlando McKoy |
The nation's light and power company, the JPS, is reporting the rampant theft of streetlights and electrical infrastructure on the Palisadoes Road -- from the Harbour View Roundabout to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The Company has been at pains to battle this behaviour by unscrupulous persons.
So far, the company has spent over US$38,000 or almost J$6Million to replace stolen streetlights along that road between January 2022 and August 2023. These stolen lamps, the JPS believes, are both offered for sale, as well as for personal use.
According to the power company's Director for Transmission and Distribution Assets & Project Management, Orlando McKoy, "In June 2022 JPS rehabilitated the entire line section and replaced all stolen lights, transformers and other electrical fixtures. Only six months later, in December 2022 JPS had to revisit and rehabilitate the section from the end of the boardwalk to the Norman Manley International Airport roundabout because 13 of 17 streetlights had been stolen. Eight months later, as at the end of August 2023, 16 of the 17 streetlights were again stolen," said McKoy, as he stressed the severity of the problem being imposed on the public.
While the Palisadoes Road has been identified as a major area affected by theft, McKoy pointed out that streetlight theft is a major issue across the island, with lamps being removed by unscrupulous people for their personal benefit.
JPS said it has been working with the police, communities, as well as the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development with the hope of curbing and eventually eliminating the illegal removal of streetlights across the island, especially along major corridors. However, the Company is in the process of implementing a number of new measures to assist in curbing the theft of its streetlights and electrical facilities and hopes these measures will lead to capturing the perpetrators. More will be revealed on the matter, at an appropriate time. The police, meanwhile, have been asked to provide support in the most troubled area -- Palisadoes Road.
Said McKoy: "This is a crime, and a part of the bigger crime problem we face in Jamaica. We need all major stakeholders, including the Ministry of National Security, to assist in stemming the illegal removal of streetlights across all communities. This severely compromises the quality of service we provide and deprives the road users of the service they deserve. Additionally, it is not practical for any business to be constantly bombarded by pilferage and theft."
McKoy continued, "There is also the cost that comes from accidents along these roadways when the lights are stolen. We definitely cannot continue like this," he lamented.
"We are therefore pursuing a collaborative approach with law enforcement, the municipalities, and relevant ministries of government.”
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6 comments:
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In this day & age of 'hi-tech' & of which the JPS Co should be quite advanced they are complaining of theft?? What happen to cameras? What happen to alarms that send a nice shock through the arms of the thief?? What happen to some device that clamps the hands of the thief to the post until JPS personnel along with the police release him/her?
Come on Mr. JPS manager, your laments are falling on deaf ears!! Get on top of this ball, you need to stop the theft of your equipment, it's high time. Use your $$ & the available technology more effectively!!
Am tried of the light stealing why should we who are paying for it have to pay for those that stealing .And not only on the street in the Community too.
It should be possible to place trackers in this equipment which would alert JPS when the lights are removed and show its location. In todays world, between CCTV and location finders, there is no need to be replacing expensive equipment (not to mention the safety issue) over and over. On a sad note, it appears dishonesty is now a part of our national dna. At least for some of us.
This stealing of these lights are not done by ordinary persons they are done by the same JPS workers who erected these light and are now profiting from them. I don't know what they are going to tell God. When there children do not do well in society they blame others about badmind...but it's because of the crimes they are committing.
Honestly, we have been telling JPS that they can go from community to community and give every household their own meter and make more money in their bank accounts. However; because they have no backbone in doing what is right. They would radar over charge the hard working customers to pay for those who are stealing electricity. They have let down the people of Jamaica, that is why they are reaping now is the world wind they have planted. Seems like they are still asleep if their very own can be charging their own customers to put on back their customers light, when it is no fault of the customers. That is clearly telling us that JPS is falling apart. Are they willing to make that change that Jamaicans are longing to see? I rest my case!
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