THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS not a bad thing that Mirant has decided to sell its shares in the Jamaica Public Service. This affords ordinary Jamaicans a chance to have ownership of a company which critically impacts their lives.
With JPS customer base estimated at two million customers or more, if every ordinary householder is offered US$100 worth of shares in JPS, this would contribute at least US$200,000,000 in share capital, to buy out Mirant. The Government or some private investor could buy the additional shares needed to get rid of Mirant.
At least, with Jamaicans owning JPS, we could have answers that are not now forthcoming. One of which is, why is this utility company unwilling to pay a fair fee to its own bill collection agents. The services that their bill collection agents perform on their behalf, is of far greater benefit to this utility company, than the added convenience to the consumer.
Why is it, therefore, that the consumer should be asked to pay a fee of $30 and $35 per transaction, to pay their bills. And even more alarming, is it that the consumer is being asked to pay a fee which is several times greater than the fee being paid by this utility company to its own agents?
I am, etc.,
ROSEMARIE WHYTE
FCCA, CA, BBA
RosemarieWhyte@hotmail.com
