Egerton Chang is dead on spot re electricity theft in his article (Sunday, October 18). However, the small house is responsible for only about 20 per cent of the actual theft. Large industrial and commercial firms account for the other 80 per cent.

There is also in place the Rural Electrification Programme that can take care of the proposed regularisation of service for customers. Essentially, therefore, what we need is the will, as a society, and a utility company that is serious about reducing losses.

The proposed US$9 million is only going to cost us the legal customers.

Instead, the company should work with the Government to reduce energy and fuel costs, thus reducing the cost of electricity to consumers and the temptation to steal this commodity.

Large customers use technology to steal electricity, and they will continue as long as it is economical to do so without being caught.

JPS needs, therefore, to invest in projects that will reduce electricity cost, to make it uneconomical to steal.

I am, etc.,

NOEL SINCLAIR

jleon49@yahoo.com

University Of Technology,

Jamaica

237 Old Hope Road

Kingston 6