- RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jamaica Public Service crew working on a light pole on Manhattan Road in Kingston.
PILFERAGE OF one kind or another has become a silent scourge in many organi-sations including supermarkets, retail stores, ports of entry and factories.
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is also suffering from pilferage. Indeed, electricity theft is burning a hole in the pockets of consumers and the coffers of the JPS. Last year alone, illegal power connections cost the nation J$2.6 billion - a heavy burden shared by the light and power company and customers.
The company has announced that by month-end, it will be doubling the number of persons directly involved in addressing electricity theft.
Making the disclosure, Tom Dorsey, JPS' senior vice-president in charge of customer operations, said, "We will be increasing resources to intensify the number and quality of investigations to ferret out electricity thieves."
REWARD PROGRAMME
In addition, the company will soon be implementing a reward programme for information leading to the conviction of power thieves, in its latest effort to intensify the crackdown on perpetrators.
"No one will be overlooked in this drive," emphasises Mr. Dorsey. "JPS has been and continues to investigate all suspected cases of electricity theft across all income groups and geographical locations, as well as small and large commercial and industrial customers, in our effort to curtail the monster."
CHALLENGES
To date, the JPS has investigated over 40,000 low-medium- and upper-class customers suspected of irregularities. Over 30 per cent of that number were found with irregularities.
According to Mr. Dorsey, large entrepreneurs will be increasingly placed under the microscope by the JPS this year. "We have made it a goal this year to focus on larger customers and disclose the prosecution of those caught."
He points to some challenges that the company has faced in the past in arresting business owners.
"Oftentimes it is difficult to arrest business owners as they are not necessarily on the spot when the theft is detected," Mr. Dorsey disclosed. "Also, some business owners/managers when caught, immediately pay up all amounts estimated to have been consumed through theft over the last six years, in an effort to avoid prosecution. In cases like these, the perpetrators are still liable for prosecution."
In the inner-city areas, the 'throw up' (where perpetrators throw lines over JPS powerlines) is the most frequently used illegal method of pilfering electricity.
However, the JPS senior executive indicates that it is often a more difficult and tedious process to nab business operators, especially large entrepreneurs who engage in power pilferage, because they resort to several ingenious methods to conceal their crime.
"We have seen many small commercial businesses that have created clever means to bypass our meters and steal electricity. We are also aware of some larger, wealthier customers that may be a part of the problem. We plan to catch and disclose the names of those customers this year."
PROSECUTIONS
Since the start of the year, 34 persons have been arrested and charged for electricity theft. During 2005, in excess of 400 arrests were made and over 30,000 illegal connections were removed. Not only the apprehension but the conviction rate for pilfering electricity was significant, as of the 400 arrests, 390 were convicted and fined - a success rate of 98 per cent.
The light and power company is cautioning citizens that the battle against the crime of electricity theft should not be that of the JPS alone. The company insists that since power theft affects consumers financially, physically and qualitatively, every legal JPS customer should help to prevent electricity pilferage.
"Electricity theft affects the average customer by causing an increase in the average price of electricity due to the burning of more fuel by JPS," explained Major George Kates, head of asset protection at JPS. "Approximately 12.3 per cent of the energy generated in 2005 is unaccounted for. Based on efficiency targets established by the OUR, about 5.8 per cent of these losses are recovered in rates on customers' bills."
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Among some of the other negative spin-offs to the consumer from electricity theft are :
Damage to customers' electrical appliances and equipment resulting from the tampering and connection of illegal and non-standard wires to JPS power lines.Compromise of the safety of consumers, as some children and adults are seriously injured or lose their lives when they come in contact with illegal wires or become victims of fires caused by illegal connections.A deterioration in the quality of electricity supplied to customers resulting in low voltages and service interruptions.Prolonged load shedding to customers, in the event of a loss of a major generating plant due to problems caused by electricity pilferage.Major Kates is appealing to customers, community groups, political representatives and non-governmental organisations to get involved with efforts to prevent the stealing of electricity.
In addition, JPS has also been lobbying for electricity thieves to face harsher penalties.
"We will also be increasing the level of joint operation with the police to conduct raids and investigations, in ensuring the conviction of electricity thieves," Major Kates promised.
