‘We nah stop tief light’ - Residents reject $1 billion push to end electricity theft

Some light thieves in the Corporate Area are adamant that no government plan will stop them from stealing electricity. Despite a $1 billion programme to convert illegal users into paying customers of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), many residents say they have no intention of giving up free power.

Several residents of inner-city communities, where the abstraction of electricity is rampant, told THE STAR that the programme will not sway them to stop stealing electricity.

One defiant woman told THE STAR that paying an electricity bill is an unnecessary burden she refuses to carry.

"All if dem say mi must sign up for it and get it free, mi nah stop tief light. Mi nah take up no added expense," the woman said.

"Mi already a pay income tax and Internet bill. Mi barely work $18,000 a week, so why mi would wah take up light bill when mi can get it free? Mi can't afford it and mi nah sign up for nothing. Mi no think nobody over here gonna sign up either, because one long time JPS did keep meeting and say dem gonna offer flat rate and not even dat di people dem never take," the woman added.

The bold rejection comes a day after Finance Minister Fayval Williams announced the massive initiative during the Budget Presentation in Gordon House. The plan targets 20,000 new customers for JPS' prepaid electricity system, covering house wiring, inspections, and providing a $4,000 credit for six months.

"Pre-paid electricity will put legal electricity within reach of many. Because pre-paid electricity allows you to buy the amount of electricity that you can afford, when you can afford it, you have complete control," the minister said.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz previously revealed that more than $40 billion worth of electricity was stolen.

"That works out to $13,500 for every man, woman and child in Jamaica," Vaz said.

But despite the push to regularise electricity users, some residents remain unfazed by the Government's efforts.

A St Andrew woman told THE STAR that she was a JPS customer but decided to started stealing electricity after her bill spiked.

"Mi pay it off, yes, but mi start tief light after and mi no intend fi stop. No matter what kinda deal dem a offer, mi nah take it. Mi realise seh when yuh too honest, yuh can't win in this country," the woman said.

Meanwhile, an inner-city 'electrician' yesterday told THE STAR that the $1 billion programme would put a dent in his pocket.

"Di Government a try stop mi likkle hussle, dem a wicked" said the 'lightman', who resides in a Kingston 11 community. He said that he has been making a living from illegally connecting households and small businesses to JPS grid.

"A long time mi a do dis and it help the people dem. No house never bun down because of my connection dem because mi run di light better dan di light company. If a customer provide the wire and other material, mi will charge dem a one time fee of $35,000, and if after dat the wire burn off, depending how bad it is, mi will take a ten pack ($10,000) and sort dem out. Mi is like a saviour to dem people here because mi know people inna dem high-class job weh dem light bill use to kill dem and now dem just a cruise," he said.