The Editor,

Kindly allow me to send an open letter to Ms Kelly Tomblin, President of the Jamaica Public Sevice Company (JPS).

Ms Tomblin, I observed the great effort you and your team have been pursuing in creating a new image for the JPS. Since you have taken over the light and power company, there has been a sincere effort to engage all stakeholders in buying into your vision for the company.

I am, however, uncomfortable with one of your recent proposals to our main utility regulator, the Office Of Utility Regulation. My concern stems from the proposed fee that will be charged to customers’ accounts for late payment of their bill.

I do not have a problem with the principle of charging a fee in itself, because outstanding payment represents an extended credit without the element of the price of money (interest).

My concern is that if this is implemented in its present form, it will run the risk of creating unnecessary delinquent accounts and may be seen as a tax on the use of electricity.

The reason for this is that the JPS presently operates on a billing cycle system. What this means is that the due date of most customers’ bills will fluctuate by a day or two each month. Also, over a one-year period, a customer’s due date may be brought forward as the cycle changes. This practice, if not carefully managed by customers, may lead to their account falling in arrears, and to them appearing delinquent.

I suggest you consider having a fixed date nearing the end of each month, for all your customers. There are many benefits to such an approach — it will greatly improve the customer logistics in terms of meter reading, printing and issuing of bills. For customers, this would greatly assist in respect to conveniences, especially as it relates to public servants.

This approach is nothing new; a version of it is presently being used by one of our major cable providers. More importantly, this approach will enhance your quest in further improving your company’s image, and it will prevent genuine customers being labelled delinquent, which may have negative consequences for their future credit rating.

mm2clarke @yahoo.com

Greater Portmore

St Catherine.