Dear Editor,

I live in Bay View in Bull Bay, St Andrew.

When my family moved here over 50 years ago, the development in which I live had been recently completed with infrastructure that included fire hydrants, water supply, roads, and signs. Lots were marked and titles provided to the owners.

The development was handed over to the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), which had the responsibility to maintain and manage the infrastructure of the community, and all the other developments that have been done in Bull Bay. Unfortunately, it has failed in this regard.

Ever since the handing over of the utilities to the KSAC, everything it was responsible for has been in decline. The roads and drains in the community have not been maintained and the water supply has become intermittent and is not recommended for drinking. However, we continue to pay all bills due to the relevant authorities and taxes to the Government, which has not been fulfilling its part of the arrangement to maintain roads, water, etc.

I am writing today as we have had no water for two days. Losing water and electricity is now a common feature of life and we are expected to manage this disruption in addition to the road conditions that are responsible for the destruction of my vehicle suspension. The public relations arm of the Government and its agencies is constantly in the media threatening to sell people’s property for non-payment of water bills. The electricity service provider has been consistent in the inconsistent reliability and quality of service provided.

These days we are being told that we are going digital. The Jamaica Public Service has changed the electric meter to a smart one in order to better monitor the service provided. Not sure what the water service is doing to support its quest to go digital, but its service has not improved. It has our contact information, yet it cannot notify me of a disruption in my service and provide a timeline for repair? We must be notified when disruptions are in place.

So, as I write this with the knowledge that I have no water, but I am still paying a bill, it dawns on me that the responsibility for providing water is now mine as I have had to install tanks and pumps to maintain my own water supply. I am hopeful to migrate to solar shortly and so get a reliable and consistent power supply. At some point I hope to find a way to avoid the government-maintained roads, which are being expanded in my neighbourhood in order to provide better access for those who already have power and money to exploit the tourism potential and aggregate in the parish of St Thomas.

The road network planned or constructed by the Government are not for the benefit of the people of Bull Bay. Any semblance of community has been destroyed by constructing a concrete median which separates parts of the community from the beach within the community.

Anyway, it is a waste of time to mention, protest, or complain of these things as nothing will be done to repair or fix them. What I need now from the utility providers is simply to advise me of the times when water and electricity are going to be disrupted. They have my number and e-mail and, I think, my address, so when scheduled lock-offs are being organised, I would appreciate it if they would send out a notice at least a day in advance so that we can make alternative arrangements.

I am essentially weaning myself off the Government and I pray it will be sooner rather than later.

Hugh M Dunbar

architect

hmdenergy@gmail.com