Garth Rattray

This piece is being typed under generator power because the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has been load-shedding again. It's upsetting to be in the dark, in the heat, caught in the tangle of traffic at intersections snarled by a lack of power, unable to be productive or repeatedly and interminably inconvenienced when faced with increasingly exorbitant monthly electricity bills. We are obviously being forced to pay more (money) for less (service).

The company routinely speaks of fuel costs, hurricane recovery fees and heaven only knows what else it is that makes our bills so high. We are constantly told to conserve but I suspect that their administration and in-house practices could do with some conservative trimming. Here's one example: Why does the JPS spend money to advertise when they have the monopoly on providing power to Jamaica? Why waste money telling us stuff like, 'We care'? Do they really? I've lost a large air-conditioning unit to a powerful surge and all I got eventually was a letter informing me that my complaint was received. Since then, I've lost several computers to spikes that burnt their way through line conditioners, surge protectors and uninterrupted power supply units. I have had to absorb the losses in submissive silence. I am not unique in this.

Selling controlling shares

I was uncomfortable with the idea of selling controlling shares in an essential utility company like the JPS to an overseas concern. My dissenting opinion was criticised and the success of this strategy for income and growth (in some other countries) was quoted to me. The Minister of Finance at that time, Dr. Omar Davies, complained that no Jamaican entrepreneur(s) took up the offer. So, enter Mirant. They promised to upgrade our existing equipment and vastly improve service. As far as I know, there was some modicum of improvement in service but no tangible upgrading of our antiquated equipment. It appeared as though Mirant came, saw, conquered and left better off than when they arrived just as I predicted.

Big money

Now, enter Marubeni, another foreign entity. International companies are not in business fo reasons - they are in it for the sole purpose of making big profits. I am no economist, but it stands to reason that there must be big money or the potential for big money in the JPS, or else they would not invest in it. In other words, the electricity bills that we pay must be reflecting the substantial profit being gained by these seasoned and successful companies when they invest in the JPS. And, I can't help but feel that the lack of competition makes us an easy target.

There is massive expansion in the hotel industry and a booming housing market. Billion-dollar edifices are blooming and looming in tourist areas. Where there used to be one or two homes on a half-acre of land there are now 40 or 50 apartments. Our need for electricity is growing rapidly every day, yet (for decades) our ailing power supply company has been limping along, short on power, badly lacking in reserve capacity and devoid of the upgrading needed to meet the increasing demands on the system.

We need monetary injection of foreign capital in the JPS so that well-overdue upgrading can take place. We need enough improvement to deal with our rapidly increasing energy needs. This will ensure a comfortable reserve capacity (so that servicing and emergency repairs will not affect the power supply). Without these necessities, we will continue to suffer and pay more for less service.