Thousands rush to catch Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) amnesty

LadyDay · (#1 (**permalink**))

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...ead/lead3.html

Thousands rush to catch Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) amnesty
published: Tuesday | May 9, 2006

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter
THOUSANDS OF persons crammed into Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) offices islandwide yesterday in an effort to beat today's deadline for applications under the company's amnesty programme.
According to the JPS, approximately 5,000 persons have so far applied under the programme that allows individuals stealing electricity to regularise their supply without fear of prosecution.
The light and power company stated earlier this year that $2.6 billion in revenue was lost due to stolen electricity last year. Director of Corporate Com-munications, Winsome Callum, told The Gleaner that some factors deterred more persons from applying for the amnesty.
GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR
"The company requires that persons' premises be properly wired by a certified electrician and passed by a Government electric inspector," she said.
Ms. Callum noted that the cost of wiring premises influenced the number of applicants for amnesty, but noted that JPS would not relax this factor as the company has to put the safety of the individual, the community and JPS systems first.
Another deterring factor was the fact that some persons live in communi-ties where the company does not have regular access to check and read meters.
Ms. Callum revealed that the majority of applicants for amnesty came from three parishes, with Kingston and St. Andrew having at least 1,000 applicants. St. Catherine and St. James came next.