Western Kingston gets connected
Published:Tuesday | March 15, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer
Western Kingston resident Eulalee Henry is one of nearly 7,000 people to get connected within the next two months, joining other paying customers who make up the customer base of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).
The elderly Henry stood outside her home in Wilton Gardens (Rema) and underneath illegitimate connections that have been providing buildings with electricity, lighting homes as evening falls.
"We cah live inna darkness," another resident said with a shrug, as if he were stating the obvious, which was also the reasoning behind many of the unauthorised connections.
Henry, who accepted the idea of having to add JPS to her list of bills, said she preferred being assisted with setting up a legitimate JPS connection, rather than being "locked up" for stealing.
However, she did have one concern.
"Me would like fi know say nobody get electricity off my wire. Most people nah work, bout dem a pay bill."
Jobs needed
Norman Denton of Denham Town is one who would not mind receiving a bill as long as he is guaranteed work every day.
"Everybody willing to pay the bill," he told The Gleaner yesterday. "But we wah something fi do. We just a spin round and round like gig.
"I'm a carpenter and I can't tell you when last I get a full week's work," said Denton, who is qualified to assemble, as well as install, window and door frames.
A major hindrance in finding work, according to Denton, is having to put Kingston 14 as the address.
"Dem think seh is pure tief come from round here," he said.
At that moment, a man walked by with measuring tape attached to his hip. He was also seeking full-time work.
The men were watching JPS technicians install the residential automated metering infrastructure, which aims to prevent people from meddling with electrical connections in the future.
Trench Town and Rose Town will also be connected, along with Denham Town and Rema in Kingston. Meanwhile, the JPS will also turn on power in the St Catherine communities of Naggo Head and Newland.
As a bass line played nearby, amplified by stereos plugged into an electricity source powered by a flimsy yellow wire, a group of residents gathered outside a wholesale.
A woman who was buying groceries was practical about the situation.
"Bill supposed to pay and we cah live free, so people will haffi find them way," she said.