OUR backs utility companies in fight against criminals
Published:Monday | March 31, 2025 | 12:09 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
Director General of the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Ansord Hewitt, has reaffirmed the agency’s strong support for utility companies as they combat criminal activities targeting their infrastructure.
Speaking at the Office of Utilities Regulation’s 11th Annual Director General’s Stakeholders’ Engagement at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston last week, Hewitt emphasised that society as a whole suffers when criminals attack utility networks.
“So, as I have done in the past, I want to use this occasion to signal the OUR’s unequivocal support for the strongest legal measures feasible against any kind of criminal encroachment on the network and services of regulated public utilities,” Hewitt stated.
He stressed that these crimes impose unacceptable costs on society.
“The reality is that where such incidents take place, it is not just the utilities that are victims, but the entire society suffers. We cannot afford to ignore or be silent about such nefarious activities,” he said.
MOUNTING LOSSES FOR UTILITY COMPANIES
The Jamaica Public Service (JPS), National Water Commission (NWC), Digicel, Flow, and other utility companies have consistently reported significant financial losses due to theft.
Electricity and water theft cost JPS and NWC, respectively, millions annually, leading to higher bills for paying customers and reduced service quality.
Telecommunications providers Digicel and Flow have also suffered substantial losses, reporting tens of millions in damages due to vandalism and theft in 2025 alone. On March 4, vandals deliberately destroyed underground fibre cables, leaving thousands without landline, mobile, and Internet services. The cost of repairs runs into millions of dollars.
“Indeed, we are privy to figures from one telecoms operator indicating that from 2020 to 2025, the cost of dealing with damage from theft and vandalism amounts to well over J$100 billion,” Hewitt revealed.
“Island Network, another telecoms provider, has reported that over the years, about 30 of its sites were broken into and vandalised, including the theft of batteries that each cost about half a million dollars to replace.”
STRENGTHENING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
With the lessons learnt from Hurricane Beryl, which caused J$32 billion in damage in Jamaica, including crippling 40 per cent of the island’s mobile network, the OUR is stepping up preparations for the 2025 hurricane season, which is less than nine weeks away.
Hewitt outlined the OUR’s responsibilities in disaster response, which include monitoring and overseeing service restoration, coordinating with key stakeholders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and conducting post-event assessments to improve future preparedness.
“The major utilities are required to submit hurricane preparation plans before the start of the season for OUR’s review,” he said. “These plans outline their disaster- preparedness strategies, business continuity measures, and recovery responses to potential storms and hurricanes.”
In response to Beryl’s impact, the OUR is collaborating with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to develop protocols that facilitate the temporary use of telecommunications facilities for relief efforts in areas with limited or no service.
Additionally, Hewitt noted that the OUR is working with the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport to develop a National Emergency Telecommunications Plan. This initiative will define the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in disaster response and outline step-by-step actions during different phases of the disaster management cycle.
“The OUR has also taken vital lessons from Beryl regarding communication,” Hewitt added.
“In the age of social media, timely, credible, and structured communication is essential. This includes engaging with the media, customers, relevant ministries, the Cabinet Office, and service providers during force majeure events.”
INDUSTRY LEADERS DISCUSS RESILIENCE
During the stakeholder engagement, industry leaders participated in a panel discussion on resilience and response in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.
Panellists included Hugh Grant, president and CEO of JPS; Stephen Murad, CEO of Digicel; Herman Fagan, VP of operations, NWC; and Stephen Price, VP and general manager at Flow.
The discussion highlighted the urgent need for enhanced security measures, disaster preparedness, and stronger legal frameworks to protect Jamaica’s utility infrastructure from criminal activities and natural disasters.