KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Local Government and the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) are working out a framework regarding the arrangements for the payment and management of the island’s more than 105,000 streetlights.

The decision was reached this morning at a meeting to address financial obligations, reporting capacity, database management, technical and infrastructural arrangements with a high-level delegation from JPS’ parent company Marubeni, executives of the local arm of JPS headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Tomblin.

Leading the team from the Ministry of Local Government on behalf of the local authorities, Minister McKenzie highlighted the financial challenges being experienced.

He, however, gave a commitment to honour the financial obligations on a scheduled basis, which is to be worked out between both parties in ongoing discussions.

The meeting also saw the teams committing to:

• Apprising themselves of the contents of the current streetlight audit – a copy of which was presented to McKenzie and the data from which would provide the foundation for improvement in the management of streetlighting services.

• JPS providing the ministry with monthly break-out reports on streetlights repaired and installed on a community-by-community basis.

• JPS having their parish managers attend the current series of Day-in-Council meetings being held by Minister McKenzie islandwide.

• The establishment of a dedicated Streetlight Help Desk in the office of the minister in the Ministry of Local Government.

• The holding of monthly meetings between both parties in a spirit of cooperation to develop the framework.

• Advancing the plans for the implementation of the replacement of existing inefficient streetlights with a smart LED-based streetlight system.

• Exploring future collaboration on technological enhancements.

In the newly forged partnership, both parties have recognised the need to develop a relationship underscored by transparency in moving the streetlight programme forward by addressing the issues with a collective response.