Call for Ombudsman to intervene in JPSCo issue

THE NATIONAL Democratic Movement (NDM) wants both Utilities Ombudsman, Justice O.D. Marsh and Public Defender, Howard Hamilton, to intervene into the dispute between the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) and its customers over the rebate recovery programme.

According to NDM Deputy-General Secretary, Dennis Meadows, his party will be writing to both offices seeking their intervention, as the matter warrants their urgent attention as customers are in a quandary as what to do.

In a release, Mr. Meadows said there was no doubt that the temporary tariff imposed was a tax.

"This raises a serious constitutional issue, as under the constitution only the Minister of Finance can impose a tax. Therefore, the Minister of Mining and Energy has breached the constitution, resulting in additional amounts being asked to be borne by the already burdened taxpayers," Mr. Meadows said.

In the meantime, the NDM is calling on the JPSCo not to collect the rebated amount until the matter is resolved.

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