Vandalism and theft was the subject of a press conference held earlier today at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston by telecoms provider Flow. The company has suffered from repeated incidents which have affected both its ability to offer services to the country and its earnings.

Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy and technology, addressed the issue. Here is his prepared speech:

Vandalism and theft of devices and ICT infrastructure continues to be a huge nuisance to our citizens and Telecommunications providers and has a significant impact on national development.

Cell phone theft is steadily becoming an increasing problem for Jamaicans. Reports from a recently held entertainment event in Negril indicated that millions of dollars’ worth of cell phones were stolen from patrons over a few days. Not only is the theft of cellphones a great issue but also the theft and vandalisation of copper cables, diesel fuel, batteries and generators used to ensure network connectivity across the island.

THIS CANNOT CONTINUE! if we intend to be a digital society and achieve VISION 2030. I am pleased to announce that the Government of Jamaica is taking steps to ensure that this plague on our island is curtailed. Following a meeting with our two main telecommunications providers yesterday, the ministry that I lead will be working assiduously to establish a policy and/or legislative framework to treat with individuals who continue to put a strain on the resources of our telecommunications providers and law abiding citizens, residents and visitors as we seek to become a digital society.

The ministry has invited the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Justice to consider increasing the penalties under the Larceny and Malicious Destruction of Property Acts in order to ensure that these penalties act as a deterrent. We are taking steps to increase the penalties and custodial sentences to the maximum limit allowed in the parish courts forr damage caused to the facilities of telecommunications providers under the Telecommunications Act.

These legislative changes, once in force, will send the signal to individuals intent on vandalising any part of Jamaica’s ICT infrastructure that they will face severe consequences.

In addition, the telecommunications providers have given me their commitment to submit a proposal recommending other legislative and technical measures that can be taken to stem the problems of vandalism and cellphone theft.

Ladies and gentlemen, no longer will we tolerate a cellphone being stolen and resold tothe highest bidder, as the measures being contemplated for implementation will ensure that stolen phones will not be able to work in Jamaica. Our partners – the telecommunications providers- have indicated their resolve to implementing and operationalising systems that will disable these devices once they are reported stolen.

We are also aware that the stolen devices and infrastructure are being sold separately as an easy means of evading law enforcement measures. This Government and our partners will be seeking to also reduce this.

The Government of Jamaica has established a national goal of becoming a digital society by 2030. For us to achieve this, we will need to develop the following:

• A national broadband network;
• Island-wide internet access points; and
• A modern, agile postal communication network.

None of these objectives can be achieved if the problem of vandalism is not addressed.

I would like to use this opportunity to remind our citizens that the theft and vandalism of devices and telecommunications infrastructure MUST come to an end in order for us to achieve our digital goals. The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology stands ready, with our partners, to fight against these two problems; whether through public education and awareness programmes that sensitise persons on the short and long-term ramifications of vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, or implementing robust policy and legislative measures that will seek to stem these unlawful actions.

I invite law abiding persons to partner with the government and the telecommunications providers by reporting or providing information to our law enforcement entities about persons who are known to be involved in these activities.

READ: Measures to block stolen phones from all local networks to be implemented early 2023: Vaz