Councillors lash out at JPS
Published:Wednesday | November 17, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
ST CATHERINE PARISH Council councillors have expressed concern about non-functioning street lights in their divisions.
Speaking last Thursday during the sitting of the council's monthly meeting, an infuriated Denise Daley, councillor for the Linstead division implored the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to repair malfunctioning street lights in a timely manner, in a bid to decrease the likelihood of danger to life and property.
"I speak to one area in Rosemount, that a watchman died right at that particular area, and over three months now I've reported the matter and no light is there, right in front of the junior high school, and because it is getting darker and darker now, you find children are coming from school in almost darkness, and that is posing a threat in a way that I am even scared to drive over there at certain hours," a concerned Daley said.
Leon Thomas, councillor for the Hellshire division chided the light and power company, for the manner in which it carries out its functions.
"Right now, the condition that exists on Hellshire main road, total darkness, in fact, the intersection at Greater Portmore straight up to the intersection at Hellshire Park, I count on that entire road that is supposed to have about 33 street lights, only four are (working) there," said Thomas.
He continued: "I am calling on JPS to dispatch a team to Hellshire main road to put back the lights out there."
According to Thomas, the council could not continue to pay JPS more than $30 million for non-existing street lamps.
Stern warning
Meanwhile, Dr Andrew Wheatley, Spanish Town mayor issued a stern warning to JPS.
"You need to step up your level of service, otherwise the council will be forced, in the very near future, to start to withhold payment and pay according to the level of service we are receiving," warned the mayor.
Meanwhile, Michael Davis, JPS representative at the meeting informed that some 413 street lights were repaired in the parish in October.