Poor Man Feel It - Blackout In The Ghetto

  Shortly after the JPS announced with satisfaction that Jamaicans have an improving view of the JPS, it is now time to to target the thievery. But thievery will continue. JPS says they have tried everything. But not quite. Local solar power changes the dynamic. Communities invested in their power generation. No more thievery.

JPS cuts service to communities with high levels of theft

We have tried everything, says power supplier

Monday, May 12, 2014 | 2:28 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) on Monday said it is cutting the number of hours it provides power to communities where more than 70 per cent of the electricity supply is stolen.

"This is part of the company’s strategy to get more persons to pay for the electricity they use, and reduce the overall cost to paying customers," a release from JPS said.

The communities to be affected in the initial phase of this curtailment strategy are: Jones Town, Seaward Drive, Trench Town, Denham Town, Rema, Maxfield Avenue, Central Village, and sections of Spanish Town Road.

"JPS has been working with these communities for some time, with limited success, and continues to encourage illegal users to take immediate steps to have their service regularised," the release said. "The company has indicated that, in recognition of its obligation to serve paying customers in the affected communities, it will make an effort to provide electricity for not less than 12 hours per day, and will remain sensitive to the safety concerns of the residents.

"JPS is also making every effort to minimise the impact on the businesses, hospitals, and schools in these communities," the release added.

“We have tried everything to reduce electricity theft,” JPS senior VP for Energy Delivery, Gary Barrow said. “Our efforts have included a combination of initiatives, such as the removal of illegal ‘throw up’ lines, account audits and meter investigations, arrests in collaboration with the police, community intervention and the installation of costly technology solutions. The company also has more than 200 employees working to reduce losses.”

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/JPS-cuts-service-to-communities-with-high-levels-of-theft

More Electricity Theft But Hey We Look Good!!!

Hmmmmm.... theft goes up, image improves....... less enforcement?

As I have said, let communities be invested in local power generation - solar panels - and theft will decrease.

Oh - and image will go up!

JPS public image improved despite soar in power theft

Friday, May 02, 2014    

POWER distribution monopoly, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) said that its public image improved significantly last year despite a 56 per cent jump in power theft to US$43.5 million ($4.7 billion).

"A primary focus of JPS in 2013 was creating a positive public image," said the light and power company in its latest annual report. "The results were encouraging. A comparison of the media exposure for 2012 and 2013 shows a significant improvement in positive references to the company and an increase in neutral references / objective discussions about JPS - even by media personnel."

JPS's campaign involved building and strengthening of relationships with key stakeholder groups; creating and maintaining a positive media presence; improving general understanding of JPS' operations; establishing and utilising the JPS Foundation to support national development; and increasing the visibility of employee involvement in the community.

Additionally, JPS appointed its first female President Kelley Tomlin, who focused on humanising the monopoly.

"During the year, our social media reach recorded a growth of more than 160 per cent in our dedicated audience (Fans/ Followers), which stood at approximately 42,000 at the end of 2013 (combination of JPS & eStore Facebook, Twitter, Issuu and LinkedIn platforms)."

Despite the campaign, theft remained a perennial problem at the light and power company due to throw up lines and meter tampering. Theft affected its profitability which dipped to US$9.2 million from US$12.3 million in 2012.

JPS told the Observer that the police arrested over 42 persons for the illegal abstraction of electricity between January and March 2014 . Additionally, JPS teams have removed in excess of 26,000 'throw ups' predominantly from Kingston & St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Elizabeth. Last year, over 1,200 persons were arrested for power theft.

Power theft forms part of overall system loss which was 25.88 per cent for 2013 or US$74.5 million.

"System losses was a critical area of focus for JPS in 2013," said the company's annual report. "A number of initiatives were undertaken in an effort to curtail the trend of deteriorating losses, and a centralised team was formed to coordinate and monitor the losses activities with the regional field service and operations teams. Through coordinated 'Strike Force' activities, a total of 197,646 illegal lines were removed from the grid, and, with the assistance of the police, 1,246 persons were arrested for illegal abstraction of electricity."

In April 2011, Japan-based Marubeni Corporation entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Korea East-West Power, for joint ownership of 80 per cent in the JPS. The Government of Jamaica and a small group of minority shareholders own the remaining shares.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/JPS-public-image-improved-despite-soar-in-power-theft_16578599

Rasta Say Legalize It

A truck travels in Trench Town, Kingston, during yesterday’s march, mainly by Rastafarians, calling for the legalisation of marijuana.
(PHOTOS: COLLIN REID)

Rastas rally for legalisation of ganja

BY NADINE WILSON Observer staff reporter wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, April 21, 2014

MEMBERS of the Rastarian community yesterday braved the scorching sun as they marched from Half-Way-Tree to Trench Town in Kingston, as they joined the growing call for the legalisation of marijuana.

The group, which had gathered early at Mandela Park for what was dubbed a "Ganja Legalise It Day March and Motorcade", left Half-Way-Tree just after 10:00 am as they made their way to St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston, and then to the Trench Town Culture Park for a rally. The event, which was organised by Solomonic Productions and the Rastafarian Millennium Council, was well supported by the Rastarians who were adorned in their green, yellow and red while chanting "Jah Rastafari" and "Free up the ganja", some carrying the Ethiopian flag.

One of the organisers, Maxine Stowe, said the Rastarians hope to be at the forefront of the discussion on ganja going forward, given the significance of the plant in their culture. Earlier this month, there was the official launch of the Ganja Future Growers and Producers Association which comprises political officials, medical entrepreneurs and academia who are currently lobbying for the lifting of the restrictions surrounding the use of cannabis.

"The debate is happening here in Jamaica and the Rastafarian community is the leading community in regard to the rights of ganja here. So we want to make sure that our community and our culture is protected as it is developed into a full-blown industry here in Jamaica," Stowe said.

She said the Rastarians also wanted to ensure that the plant is not misused by those looking to gain from it financially.

"We don't want no products to be developed like cigarettes that eventually came out of tobacco and made the thing cancerous. So we are also vigilant of all of this dissecting of the herb to make sure when you isolate the compounds, that you are not creating something that God didn't ordain for the herb," Stowe said.

She said the group has been in consultation with those who have been leading the talks on the legalisation of ganja, but they have not been in complete agreement with some of their principles.

"We have been negotiating throughout all that time and have been present at all their launches and presenting our position papers to the Government and to the Ministry of Justice. We met with Minister Mark Golding and we gave him all of our points and we eventually submitted our 'principles' with regard to the legalisation and the use of the sacramental spaces, etc. We are expecting that within the policy development that that will come forward," she added.

After their long walk, the Rastafarians were in a jubilant mood when they reached the Trench Town Culture Park and the unmistakably scent of ganja permeated the atmosphere as they partook in ritualistic dances, nyahbinghi chanting and drumming. Then came presentations from several high-profile individuals, including veteran reggae artiste Neville 'Bunny Wailer' Livingston who said he was pleased with the increased attention ganja has been getting.

"I have been a lover of high-grade from I was as small as four years of age. My dadda used to be a high-grade dealer, so I know high-grade from before a lot of you people," he said, adding that he was delighted that ganja is now the topic on 'Babylon's table'.

"I am proud and I am satisfied that although I don't sell marijuana I am now going to be able to plant marijuana. Futuristically, I have 142 acres of land and we want more land because the amount of ganja that we are going to plant, Jamaica is not even big enough to hold it," he said.

Meanwhile, Louis Moyston lamented the oppression of Rastafarians over the years for the use of ganja due to what he termed "Government bureaucracy, white supremacy and the church". He also denounced claims that legalisation of ganja would inspire violence.

"A no ganja inspire violence; it is inequality and injustice [that] inspire violence and criminality and ganja must no longer be the scapegoat," he told the rally.

"[For] many people, it (ganja) is what keep them through their depression and what keep them to adjust to the reality of 'Babylon'," said Moyston.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Rastas-rally-for-legalisation-of-ganja_16502245