By Leslie McLean, Correspondent
JPSCo workers repairing a street light in Kingston. - File
CLAREMONT, ST. ANN
THE JAMAICA Public Service Company (JPSCO) claims it has repaired 500 streetlights in St. Ann, but the St. Ann Parish Council is uncertain as to the accuracy of the claim.
This information was gleaned from the monthly meeting of the St. Ann Parish Council on Thursday.
Director of Finance, Neville Rennard, told the meeting that the JPSCo stated that 500 street lights were repaired over the 6 month-period (April to October 2002), with the respective figures per month being 84, 76, 70, 57, 91, 54 and 68.
He, however, noted that the JPSCo gave no information as to where the repairs were done.
NO STREETLIGHTS
Councillor Erna Walters of the Discovery Bay division pointed out that only a few streetlights were working in the Salem to Runaway Bay area, although that area is crime riddled.
Councillor Vinnette Robb of the Calderwood division said only three or four streetlights were working in Calderwood and that the people were complaining.
Deputy Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Councillor Luther Spence, deemed the JPSCo and other agencies, "The ones who cause people out there to say the Councillors are doing nothing".
He called for stoppage of payment for streetlights over a period of time, until improved service was provided.
Councillor Lillieth Richards of the Gibraltar division remarked, "I have not had street lights fixed for two years. I would like to know where they have fixed these lights".
Mr. Rennard reported that, at one stage, the Council had deducted $66,000 from the debt to the JPSCo for non-functioning streetlights and the JPSCo had "raged war".
He added that with the Ministry of Local Government paying the bill, despite non-functioning streetlights, the JPSCo was "laughing all the way to the bank. Charging as if performing at 100 per cent."
Councillor Delroy Giscombe of the Exchange division reported that, at Pineapple Place there was a transformer on the ground, and this had resulted in blockage of a section at Ciboney Hotel.
He however, was later informed that this transformer was stolen and, with no light on the bypass road for over 4 months, there were several reports of rape.
