The Editor, Sir:

Like most Jamaicans, I am feeling the negative effects of the monthly hike in electricity bills and am requesting the intervention of the Government and the Office of Utilities Regulation in the matter. There has to be a better way to provide such a service to us without a constant request for consumers to pay more.

Collectively, they need to devise a way in which JPS is held accountable for its role in providing energy to its consumers at an affordable cost. At present, it seems as if it is business as usual as increased operational cost are 'immediately' passed on to the consumers and, as such, a need to minimise their operational cost is not a priority. Never have we heard of profits being shared among the thousands of households, but I am still paying for damage caused from a hurricane long passed.

Their concern for the consumers was clearly displayed as they failed to see a need to provide an alternative number to report fallen lines as Tropical Storm Gustav heads off to foreign lands. I know I will be paying for this one too!! I will sleep in the dark tonight and await another 'hiked' bill.

If commercial entities reporting huge profits are finding it cost effective to steal electricity, do they not see that it is just a matter of time before the average consumer will get 'fed up' and do the same? Can they afford having law-abiding citizens becoming devious as they try to survive?

'Changing Lives With Our Energy' is good, but changing minds with your price is dangerous.

I am, etc;

KAESTNER PRYCE

kaestner.pryce@gmail.com

Montego Bay