MAY PEN, Clarendon:
THE STREETS of Clarendon could be left in the dark because of a cut in Government allocation to the parish, warns a Councillor.
Winston Maragh, Councillor for the Rocky Point Divisions told the monthly meeting of the Council last Thursday that the parish's electricity bill had only been paid to last November. The meeting heard that the Ministry of Local Government had provided $11.5 million which was insufficient.
Councillor Maragh pointed out that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) was now privately owned and that non-payment could result in street lights being disconnected.
He added that the Council would only be receiving $12 million to pay for electricity used by street lights, which would only pay for six months consumption.
Councillor Maragh also noted that money for salaries and emoluments for Council employees could only be stretched to July, after which it would be on its own.
The Councillor said the cut in the Council's budget for this year could mean increase in fees charged for services carried out by the parish. It also means that the Council will have to get tough in collecting outstanding fees.
