The Editor, Sir:

I share the grave sentiments of Cynthia Burton in her letter titled 'JPS justice needed' (published Thursday, September 18). I have also been a victim of what seems to now be a conspiracy by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to complicate the lives of all its customers.

I have been living at my current place of residence for just over two years and have been accustomed to bills no more than $3,500. In January of this year, a bill came for just over $25,000 and, based on the reputation built by JPS, I figured it was due to the recently ended festive season.

Sent in error

A report was made to the office on Ruthven Road and the customer care representative said that this bill was sent in error (as I knew), and that I should pay the amount that I was used to paying and it would be fixed on subsequent bill statements. However, the balance of about $22,000 kept showing up on the bill, month after month, despite the assurance of the representative that it would be soon removed. I have since learnt to always take the name of the person who gives me information in situations like these.

In July of this year, another report was made to the customer care office, located Downtown, the previous complaint was mentioned as well as the response given. After spending about 10 minutes checking their system and logs, I was told that the January bill of $25,000 was correct and was as a result of adjustments made on charges from previous months. I was then instructed that they would assist by opening a six-month payment plan to allow me to settle the arrears, while staying current with the bills to come; failing this the service would be disconnected at my home.

Too many people are being affected by the gross inefficiencies and cases of mismanagement on the part of JPS, and something has to be done. This is not the time for them to be playing the fool when life, in general, is so hard around the world. If one person out of 100 stands up to say something is wrong, then we give the benefit of the doubt; but when 100 out of 101 stand up, then we know for sure where the problem lies.

The tolerance levels of the majority of this country's citizens cannot stand to take much more than what already exists, and I sincerely hope that we can in short order see regularity returned to our lives in this regard.

I am, etc.,

RANDELL BAILEY

Concerned Citizen

rtmbailey@yahoo.com