OUR to get independent telecom monitoring tools as Jamaica reviews utility protections

The Office of Utilities Regulation is moving to obtain independent equipment to check the quality of Jamaica’s telecommunications services, as complaints continue about mobile and data performance since Hurricane Melissa.

Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz told JIS that the regulator is in the final stage of buying the technology, which would allow it to verify service levels without depending only on reports from telecom providers. He said the capacity to test service independently would support enforcement under the law. Vaz also pointed to competition as a route to better cellular service, noting that Rock Mobile, licensed in 2021, has not yet fully entered the market and that he hopes it can do so later this year.

The minister also said consumers could get stronger protection through proposed amendments to the OUR Act and the Jamaica Public Service Company’s operating licence. He said the revised JPS licence should include compensation through the electricity disaster fund for customers whose property is damaged by JPS infrastructure, or who suffer losses linked to power surges and other service incidents. The comments followed the June 5 islandwide blackout, which revived debate about utility accountability.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Delroy Chuck reported that tens of thousands of criminal records have been expunged since Parliament passed amendments to the Criminal Records Rehabilitation of Offenders Act earlier this year. He said more than 800 people received expungements in the last financial year, about 1,500 applications were filed, and the expungement committee has been expanded to nine commissioners meeting weekly.

Fishers in St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon also received five boats and engines under a $60-million National Fisheries Authority programme. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green said 14 boats have been distributed so far, with 20 planned islandwide, and another $66 million earmarked for 20 additional boats and engines to help fishers affected by Hurricane Melissa.

In Kingston and St. Andrew, Mayor Andrew Swaby said the municipal corporation will use parochial revenue funds for hurricane-season training, public sensitisation and drain cleaning. NEPA also launched a Junior CEO of the Day competition, offering students cash prizes and a chance to lead the agency for a day.