Make use of the OUR
published: Wednesday | September 28, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) should be given the power to penalise the utilities when they fail to make necessary collections which would help to keep costs a little lower. At the moment, it is not in the interest of the utilities to enforce full collections and, in the case of the JPS and NWC, disconnect illegal connections. And don't believe either that only the poor are the perpetrators; many of those who can more than afford to pay are abusers of the services but there seems to be areas where the above two utilities are afraid to make the necessary approaches.

The OUR has been having meetings around the country but these are poorly attended; in some cases one or two people attend. It is insulting to say the OUR does not care for consumer issues when consumers do not follow the procedures necessary to resolve their complaints. These meetings are for informing consumers of their rights and sometimes redress when the utilities fail to adhere to their guaranteed standards.

Many of us are quick to point fingers, but not to personally get involved in assisting in the decision process - the how, when and where to make complaints.

I am, etc.,

A. FRANCIS

ashrath@cwjamaica.com

Mandeville

Via Go-Jamaica