JPS, we deserve better than just lip service
Published:Wednesday | August 13, 2025 | 12:09 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I live in the community of Daytona, Portmore, St Catherine. At this time of the year, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) undertakes an annual tree-cutting drive in the community to remove branches from its lines. The company uses contractors to carry out these projects, and to remove the branches and leaves left after the exercise is completed. However, they have not been doing so, and a community that has no way of disposing of the waste has been left with a potential hazard that cannot be burned, because it’s illegal to do so. Further, the garbage trucks are not willing to remove it. This was the case on August 7, and the waste is still on many of the roads where these contractors have carried out their exercise.
I have made several calls to the JPS about these errant contractors, and disclosed the particulars of the vehicles in these operations and requested that the matter be urgently dealt with. They assured me that it would be resolved, but to date, the contractors have not returned to the community. It is (now) littered with drying tree leaves and large tree stumps are scattered in the road, creating an hazard for passing vehicles. They are also exposed to the likelihood of being accidentally lit and set ablaze.
The JPS prides itself on its responsiveness to the needs of the people it serves, but they have not demonstrated this; instead, it has repeatedly ignored the request to address the issue. Cooperation should benefit both parties, but in this case, JPS cares only about its concerns and not the consumers.
I appeal to the JPS to address these issues immediately; we deserve much better than just lip service.
ERROL MCLEISH