JPS study claims poverty/murder influence theft
Posted: 2009-03-14 11:26:28
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The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is claiming that Jamaica’s high levels of poverty and murder have contributed to the soaring rate of electricity theft.
The JPS is losing about 12.7 per cent of the electricity it produces because of theft.
According to a JPS study, there are three major factors influencing electricity theft: poverty, violence and the actual cost for light bills.
But the JPS corporate controller and vice-president of finance Dan Theoc says poverty and violence are most debilitating.
The study measures violence by the murder rate.
Mr Theoc says where there is a 10 percent increase in poverty, electricity theft goes up by 9 percent.
He says the study reveals that for every 10 percent increase in the murder rate there’s a three percent increase in electricity losses.
The JPS executive added that the study also found that if light bill goes up by 10 per cent, theft goes up but by only zero point 8-3 per cent.
On Monday, the JPS submitted to the Office of Utilities Regulation, (OUR), an application for an average 23 percent increase in light bills.
The OUR has 90 days from the date of submission to respond to the JPS.
Have Your Say at www.gleanerblogs.com
Posted: 2009-03-14 11:26:28
Live Regular updates on Power 106
»» Weather Information
»» More News/Updates
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is claiming that Jamaica’s high levels of poverty and murder have contributed to the soaring rate of electricity theft.
The JPS is losing about 12.7 per cent of the electricity it produces because of theft.
According to a JPS study, there are three major factors influencing electricity theft: poverty, violence and the actual cost for light bills.
But the JPS corporate controller and vice-president of finance Dan Theoc says poverty and violence are most debilitating.
The study measures violence by the murder rate.
Mr Theoc says where there is a 10 percent increase in poverty, electricity theft goes up by 9 percent.
He says the study reveals that for every 10 percent increase in the murder rate there’s a three percent increase in electricity losses.
The JPS executive added that the study also found that if light bill goes up by 10 per cent, theft goes up but by only zero point 8-3 per cent.
On Monday, the JPS submitted to the Office of Utilities Regulation, (OUR), an application for an average 23 percent increase in light bills.
The OUR has 90 days from the date of submission to respond to the JPS.
Have Your Say at www.gleanerblogs.com
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