Minister of Science, Energy, Technology and Transport Daryl Vaz says Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has received instructions to ensure the September electricity bills are reduced to remedy the disproportionate increases imposed during the current billing cycle.

Vaz said he was updated to this effect in writing by the director general of the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR), Ansord Hewitt, who on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, responded to a letter hesent to the OUR insisting on justice for JPS customers.

“The OUR directed JPS to do the following: reduce the fuel charge for the 2024 September bills by the difference in JPS’ fuel cost in July over June, and bills with zero consumption that do not show a corresponding zero money value should be reissued,” the OUR Director General informed Minister Vaz

Moreover, the director general of the OUR explained that the directive is tantamount to a reversal of the current hefty increases.

“Please note that the directive with respect to the September bill is intended to have the same effect as what would have resulted from a reversal of the charge and reissuance of bills except that it is a less complex process and credit will show up on September bills”, the Hewitt further advised the energy minister.

Minister Vaz has also been advised by the JPS that it has agreed not to pursue any disconnections due to bill payment up to September 15, 2024.

Commenting on the development, Vaz stated, “The directive issued by the OUR to the JPS is a significant step in the right direction. The directive is aimed at ensuring that unjust and unfair increases are remedied in the September billing cycle. I note the OUR says the directive is tantamount to a reversal in the hefty increases via a simpler process.”

He added that he will be monitoring the process closely to ensure the directive is followed and JPS fulfils its promise.

“It is also encouraging that the JPS has indicated that it is not prepared to punish customers who have hefty bills, which are to be remedied, by way of disconnections”, Minister Vaz said.

With regard to customers who feel unfairly burdened, Minister Vaz says he intends to follow up with both the JPS and OUR to ensure that they are treated in a just and equitable manner.

The minister says he also awaits word from the OUR on its investigation into the current JPS billing cycle and has urged a comprehensive but expeditious completion of the probe.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Science, Energy, Technology and Transport (MSETT) will continue to dialogue with stakeholders to ensure a special audit takes place of JPS’ billing processes. It will also take a keen interest in the determination of the Terms of Reference which will guide the probe.

MSETT has expressed concern that the JPS breached the protocol established by the OUR by issuing bills which resulted in a rate shock without explicitly agreeing those rates with the OUR or having any discussion about how the impact of those bills could have been mitigated over several months.

Minister Vaz insists that the JPS ensures such a situation does not reoccur and that the OUR continues to explore potential sanctions.