Thousands of Jamaicans are expected to turn out today wearing something black in protest of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) billing system.

Dubbed 'Black Out Friday', JPS customers have been endorsing the concept on social-media networks in an effort to garner support for an islandwide peaceful protest against the light and power company's exorbitant and unexplained electricity bills.

For the past several weeks complaints against the JPS have been mounting.

JPS customers have been complaining that they have been receiving exorbitant bills since the light and power company changed their electro-mechanical meters to the new digital metres.

However, JPS has maintained that the new digital metres are in good working order and accurate.

However, in a release yesterday, the light and power company said the board of directors has instructed the JPS to immediately contract the services of an independent external auditor to undertake an audit into the meter replacement programme and the billing of customers.

justification

"A key focus of the audit will be the complaints by some of our valued customers that upon the installation of new meters their bills have substantially increased without any justification. The Office of Utilities Regulation will be kept abreast of the progress of the audit and the findings," the release said. "The board wishes to remind, however, that the replacement of old meters is a standard practice of utilities around the world. This is an aspect of any loss-reduction programme. During the performance of such an exercise, any clear case of irregularity or breaches detected must be addressed in keeping with the JPS's obligations to all customers who adhere to the terms and conditions under which the JPS strives to provide a safe and reliable supply of electricity to customers."

In the meantime, the energy minister, Clive Mullings, has disclosed that Cabinet has made a decision to hold a commission of enquiry into the light and power company's billing practices.

The energy minister has noted that the Cabinet is in the process of working out the terms of reference for such an enquiry.

Mullings said the Government understands that the matter must be handled with urgency and that the terms of reference should be completed soon.

improved customer service

The release also noted that the board will continue to work with the JPS management to fast-track several measures aimed at ensuring improved customer service and the reduction in electricity prices, with the replacement of the more aged units with new efficient plants using cheaper sources of energy than fuel oil.

"The board is hopeful that the Office of Utilities Regulation will very shortly respond to this proposal which was put forward by the company during the recent bidding process for 480MW of electricity, as this represents one of the most meaningful ways forward in the reduction of electricity prices to all customers," the release ended.