KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) yesterday announced a Debt Amnesty Programme, which will allow delinquent customers to negotiate up to 70 per cent off debts owed to the power company.

The company said in a release last night that customers in the Residential and Small Commercial categories, who owe in excess of $50,000 as at August 31 and had their service disconnected, will qualify to apply for the amnesty. Residential and Small Commercial customers with active accounts and owe more than $100,000 may also apply, JPS explained.

Customers can opt for telephone negotiations from November 4 to December 19, or face-to-face negotiations during the ’12 Days of Amnesty Road Show’ at JPS parish offices on Wednesdays and Saturdays from November 11 to December 19. Independent lenders will be on site to facilitate people who would like to explore debt financing options.

Tishan Lee, head of Marketing at JPS, says the company has identified critical cases where some customers’ arrears have accumulated to the level that they have been classified as bad debt.

“These are trying economic times and we know that many Jamaicans are having difficulty staying on top of their bills,” she said.