(Jamaica Observer) Prime Minister Simpson Miller has warned privileged members of the society to desist from stealing electricity, while noting that it was not only the poor who is involved in electricity theft.
“Is not only poor people alone steal electricity but the focus is always on the poor, but if we are going to deal with the situation we need to deal with it across the board, everybody, not just the poor,” Simpson Miller said.
“Wrong is wrong whether it’s among the poor or those who can afford it, I’m not going to say anything more, I don’t want anybody to say I am pointing fingers at them, they know who they are but like we are telling the people in our constituencies, they need to stop it as well,” she added.
According to the prime minister, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is the responsibility of all Jamaicans as they are shareholders in the company and when they steal electricity they are stealing from themselves. Furthermore, she said, it is the innocent who suffers when electricity is stolen.
Simpson Miller was speaking at a recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between JPS and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for a pilot community renewal programme, STEP-UP (Skills Training, Education and Progress through Utility Partnership) in seven inner-city communities in Kingston and St Andrew to help the citizens access and regularise their electricity supply held at the University of the West Indies Regional headquarters in Mona, St Andrew.
McGregor Gardens, Payne Land, Denham Town, Whitfield Town, Bayfarm Villa, Arnett Gardens and Majesty Gardens will benefit from the project.
“It’s not just about corporate responsibility or government responsibility, it is a national responsibility for all of us because when the councillors and myself visit some areas we not only see the inner-city engaging in this, we see others as well who should know better and we need to deal with everybody, not only focus on the poor and some of those who can’t afford it,” she reiterated.
The prime minister pledged the support of government in partnering with JPS to eliminate and reduce electricity theft across the island.
“You have our commitment that we will do what we can but we also need to ensure that the rates are reasonable for our seniors and unemployed,” she said to JPS officials.
The one-year STEP-UP programme, which has already commenced, will cost approximately $30 million and will provide opportunities for skills training and employment to the citizens in the respective areas.
Under the pogramme JPS will offer connection to residents at the tariffs established by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR); enter into permanent or provisional supply contract with community members who apply for the service; provide budget billing and pre-paid metering options; train community facilitators and JSIF representatives in conducting energy audits and specific customer service procedures; and establish JPS contact centres in the communities and provide light bulbs to be used in bulb swaps.
The JSIF will handle the management of house-wiring and associated infrastructure in the communities; manage skills training programmes for the residents; manage a public education programme as well as the light bulb and refrigerator gasket swap.
Simpson Miller, in commending the JPS and the JSIF on the initiative, noted that the programme will help its beneficiaries to “step up inna life” as they will be able to create their own jobs with provision of legal electricity.
Meanwhile, State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology Energy and Mining Julian Robinson said that Government has put in stiffer penalties and fines in the new Electricity Act.
He was not able to provide the specifics on the new sanctions but said that people who are convicted for electricity will now get a criminal record.
