JPSCo Owed a Whopping JAD4 Billion for Street Lighting!!!

Kelly Tomlin - CEO JPSCo

Last week KSAC councillors complained about the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) not repairing street lights. Councillors called for an audit to see how many bulbs where not working.

The shocking news out now is that the JPSCo is owed approximately JAD4 billion for street lighting. The figure could be much higher if penalties and interest charges are added.

JPSCo has reported that it has fixed 12,000 street lights since the beginning of the year.at a cost of JAD140 million.

It's seems unusual that the KSAC, other parish councils and the government have been in discussions about this matter as the JPSCo claims, yet some KSAC coucillors were blasting the JPSCo for not doing a good job of repairing street lights.

JPSCo noted that it is also facing the challenge of persons damaging it's street lights when the make illegal conections to the street lights. The JPSCo release mentioned this happening in Maxfied Avenue.

It will be interesting to hear the response from the KSAC and other councillors across the island. It would also be interesting to find out how much is owed to the JPSCo by government departments. My understanding is that the debt goes back for quite a number of years.

Support Vernon Derby To Support The People

Satisfying Year Helping Others

Last year was another year that I was able to use my time and talent to assist others. In helping others I found out that I was helping myself also. I have my own problems but when I see the other problems others are facing I gave thanks my small ones. I used the social pages, radio and other media to help many who are having challenges. Sometimes I wonder how much more I could have achieved if I had funding and the support of more persons. One supporter has suggested that I set up a Foundation which could assist to cover the cost of helping others.

Over 5000 Emails and Text Messages Last Year

In 2015, approximately 5000 text messages, emails, and numerous calls were dealt with in helping others. The messages kept coming even during the Christmas holidays.

During an outside broadcast with my producer Antoinette Shakespeare-Dubidad.

Organizations Benefited

Many organizations worked with me to deal with some dificult challenges that they were facing. I also assisted them in achieving some of their objectives.

Lady Prevented From Committing Suicide

There are numerous others things that I have been able to deal with such as assisting to organize persons to get their roads fixed, getting broken NWC mains fixed, getting street lights replaced and making contact with MPs to have them give us information about the challenges in their constituencies.

One lady told me that because of something that I highighted,, she had her busband check with the doctor and that action probably saved his life. I can't forget that lady who text me and told me that she was feeling depressed and that she was about to commit suicide. With the help of the police and persons from Bellview that suicide was prevented.

Guest Speaker at a Lions Club meeting.

Helping Workers

I have been able to assist workers who were having challenges with management and I believe that my intervention helped to prevent unrest at these work places.

Bullying

There are the sad stories of for example, the child who was constantly being bullied at school and his problems being ignored by the teachers and administration at the school. I worked hard to get him transfered to another school and he is now doing better.

The Influence Is Growing

One person said to me that she threated a business man that she was going to report a matter to me and the business man had the matter resolved immediately.

We really need to have a powerful organization which can stand up and defend citizens and consumers. My supporters have suggested that now is the time that form that organization. Your help and support will be needed.

I also felt honoured when I was asked by Cabinet Office to act as a Judge for the Public Sector Customer Service Competition last year.

I Need Your Continued Support

You can give your support by inviting at least twenty of your friends to like my PAGE and also to join my group of supporters by clicking on SUPPORTERS.

All the best for 2016. I love you all. Walk Gook.

With Kelly Tomlin before heading to Goat Islant

With International Singer and former member of the backing group for Bob Marley , Marcia Griffits

American Ambassor Moreno.

Michael Penix on the left and Chief US Consular Officer Mike Shimmel on the right.

Electricity Theft Arrests Now at 304 since start of 2015

JPS is reporting that operations carried out in collaboration with members of the security forces, has resulted in the arrest of 304 persons for the illegal abstraction of electricity - since the start of the year, to July 15.  JPS crews have also pulled down 9,512 throw-up lines for the same period. 

This, as crews have been relentlessy pursuing the perpetrators of electricity theft.  On Tuesday July 14, the teams’ latest move saw the St. Catherine community of Windsor Heights in Central Village, being rid of 850 throw-up lines.  One man was arrested, but several others fled from their residences to avoid being associated with the illegal connections. 

On June 30, nine persons were brought before the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court, for the illegal abstraction of electricity.  Six of them pleaded guilty and were fined an average of $150,000 each or six months in prison.  Following that, on July 1, five persons were brought before the Linstead Resident Magistrate’s Court, with the same charge.  Four pleaded guilty and were also fined an average of $150,000 each. 

JPS is reminding non-paying users of electricity, that regularization is a straight forward process.  The Company is also anticipating that its Community Renewal programme in 7 communities in Kingston, will assist in creating sustained regularization, through public education and practical assistance (such as house wiring), among other measures.  

When Honesty Does Not Pay - Vernon Derby

JPSCo Charge

Now we know, the honest ones pay for the dishonest ones. It really does not pay to be honest. Look out for the the Eletricity Efficiency Improvement Fund - EEIF which is the line item charge you will see on your April JPS bill.