Paulwell pushes power theft cure

A SENIOR opposition lawmaker has tabled a motion which, if accepted and introduced as policy by the Government, could offer reprieve for legitimate customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) who have to share the burden of electricity theft the light and power company has been grappling with for years.

Phillip Paulwell, the opposition spokesman on energy, recommended on Tuesday that the Government use proceeds from the oil hedge to provide solar power solutions to 200,000 households that steal electricity.

The Government collects billions, annually, from a $7 special tax on each litre of fuel. Some $3.60 collected from each litre had been earmarked to protect Jamaica from sharp increases in the prices of oil on the global market.

However, the Government has discontinued the oil hedge arrangement for years, but the tax remains.

In moving the motion, Paulwell said that the termination of electricity theft would result in lower JPS rates to all customers.

Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate last week, Paulwell pointed out that all customers of the JPS contributed towards a portion of the electricity used by non-paying Jamaicans.

He said that legal customers of the JPS were paying an estimated 17.5 per cent of bills to defray costs associated with electricity theft.

The opposition spokesman said that the cost of electricity was too high for Jamaican consumers and businesses.

He noted that there have been important reforms resulting in additional renewables being used to generate electricity.

A former energy minister, Paulwell noted that there had been substantial new generating capacity utilising liquefied natural gas locally.

He also commented on reductions in the cost of heavy fuel oil and diesel.

According to Paulwell, “notwithstanding the above, the cost of electricity continues to increase”.

In that regard, the opposition lawmaker wants Parliament to play a more pivotal role in addressing the higher level of theft of electricity.

He suggested that the motion be referred to the Economy and Production Committee of Parliament for its assessment and recommendations.

The Economy and Production Committee is charged with the responsibility of examining proposed laws and policy documents on the economy.