The Office of Utilities Regulation, OUR, says its enabling legislation does not give it the ability to directly fine JPS.
In its Nationwide News exclusive interview, the regulator detailed the various steps it must take to bring JPS to book for any breach.
It’s also calling for legislators to correct what is seen as a clear lacuna in the law.
Chevon Campbell tells us more.
At the start of August with many Jamaicans still without electricity for four weeks, and a deadline looming for its restoration, it was brought to public attention that at most the OUR could levy a two million dollar penalty for the breach.
The figure shocked the country.
However, in a discussion with Nationwide News, OUR Director General, Ansord Hewitt, says even this penalty cannot be imposed unless there’s a lengthy process. In this process the police, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions must be engaged.
The OUR boss also revealed that to date it has not been able to successfully fine the JPS through the courts. He noted that the JPS has challenged every determination notice it has been served by the OUR since 2016.
He says the OUR has since called on Parliament to resolve the matter and empower the regulator to impose fixed penalties.
This request was made as far back as 2015.
Deputy Director General, Cheryl Lewis, also sought to make it clear that it was now up to lawmakers.
It should be noted that the review of the Electricity Act is currently before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, Chaired by Energy Minister Daryl Vaz.
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