Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Azan

Gassan Azan, head of the MegaMart stores, last night stepped down as chairman of Jamaica Trade and Invest in the wake of revelations that electricity bypass equipment, which interrupts the recording of the consumption of electricity supplied by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), was found at two of his stores.

Mr. Azan's resignation comes following calls from the Opposition People's National Party for him to step down as chairman, noting that his ability to continue had been seriously compromised by this disclosure.

In a release to the media last night, Mr. Azan said: "It is clear that there are individuals and organisations intent on using the recent developments to carry out personal vendettas as well as to further narrow political interest."

He noted that he was always willing to serve Jamaica but was not prepared to make the sacrifice of time and effort only to be maligned and his reputation to be used in a political game.

"I have, therefore, advised the Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Investment of my decision to withdraw my offer to serve as chairman of Jamaica Trade and Invest," said Mr. Azan.

Accepts responsibility

The MegaMart boss said while his company accepts responsibility for the electrical breach at the centre of the current impasse, "we in no way subscribe to this practice which was unearthed after we invited JPS to investigate irregularities in our electrical supply and initiated months of exhaustive efforts by JPS and Mega-Mart to ensure stable and reliable power to our massive and sensitive retail operations."

On December 4, the JPS disconnected power to MegaMart's Portmore and Kingston stores, following the discovery of a device that interrupted the recording of the consumption of electricity.

It was reported in The Sunday Gleaner that MegaMart Wholesale Club had suspended an employee, after a JPS probe uncovered an "artificial interruption of electricity" supply to MegaMart stores in Kingston and Portmore.

Winsome Callum, Head of Corporate Communications at JPS said the light and power company has now completed an exhaustive analysis of the findings at the Megamart stores at Waterloo Road and in Portmore, and communicated its conclusions to the management of MegaMart.

"In accepting its corporate responsibility in the matter, MegaMart is in the process of paying the amounts owed to JPS for electricity consumed, but not paid for, at its Portmore and Waterloo stores," Ms. Callum said.

She also noted that the management of MegaMart has also undertaken to cooperate with JPS, as investigations continue to determine the means by which the illegal devices were installed at both Megamart locations.

Meanwhile, the JPS has signed a US$2.3 million (J$164.5 million) contract with the United States company, Trilliant Networks Inc., to set up an advanced metering infrastructure for its approximately 6,000 commercial and industrial customers.

The system will among other things, enable JPS to make real-time detection of metering anomalies and tampering; service outages particularly related to major tropical storms; and improve the accuracy and timely dispensation of customer billing.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com