July 1, 1999

Last-minute amnesty rush As NWC customers beat payment deadline SCORES OF persons flocked National Water Commission (NWC) commercial offices in town centres across the island to take advantage of an amnesty to benefit delinquent customers. There were many long lines and managers took to the floor, staff members sacrificed their lunch hour and closing hours were extended to facilitate every last customer. Yesterday was the deadline set by Water Minister Karl Blythe and as that date approached the exercise, which got lukewarm support initially, gathered momentum. Vando Palmer, the NWC's public relations director, said that on Tuesday the Commission collected $35.2 million, as against the under $10 million collected up to last Thursday. The money collected yesterday is still being calculated, but it is expected to surpass Tuesday's total. Up to December 31, 1998, the NWC had roughly $2 billion owed to it by customers. Between May 20 and June 2, two weeks before the end of the amnesty, it had collected only $2.2 million. Mr. Palmer said that several persons have been calling for an extension of the deadline, but he emphasised that this is not possible, as Jamaicans need to take this one-time amnesty seriously. Under the amnesty, Dr. Blythe offered delinquent customers a 50 per cent write-off if they paid their bills by June 30. Those with illegal connections would also be made legal.

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