Family left in dark pleads for JPS intervention

A homeowner is frustrated with the service being provided by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), as she said she has been without electricity for nearly a week and has been receiving inconsistent power for months.

Linda Scata, an American citizen who lives in Golden Grove, St Thomas, told THE STAR that last Thursday the transformer box exploded starting a fire, and causing her to lose power. She reported the matter to the JPS but claimed it wasn't until Sunday night that a technician arrived and told her he was unable to fix it. She said that she is living in fear that a more dangerous fire may erupt.

"I am worried about the safety of my home, and although they have reassured me that nothing is going to happen, I don't believe them because the box exploded, blew open, smoke coming out and if you look at the inside of the box, it's all charred," Scata said, adding that ever since she moved into the home last November she has had inconsistent power. She said she loses electricity for roughly two to three days at a time in some weeks.

"They do not take any interest in resolving it because I'm isolated and because it's only one household being affected," Scata said. She also told THE STAR that the inconsistent power has caused tremendous loss for her family.

"I've thrown out hundreds of thousands of dollars of food since I've lived here ... And the most frustrating thing is that every time you call, it's a different story. My food is spoiling but they don't care," Scata said, adding that the lack of power has made it almost impossible for her stepson to study or prepare for school.

Scata, who works from home as a realtor, has lost revenue because she is unable to work. Her husband is also affected.

"We can't do anything, I have done nothing but sit here since May 2nd, and every time this happens there have been times my husband has not gone to work because [he says] 'I just can't leave you here like this'. Like, it's unfortunate because he runs a taxi and he's not been able to work because he doesn't want to leave me alone in the dark and it's not right," Scata said.

When contacted, a JPS representative said that checks revealed that there was a defective piece of equipment which needed to be replaced.

"This is being undertaken and the customer's supply will be restored before the end of the day (Tuesday)," the representative said.

- K.T.