No response from NWC, OUR

After many years of unsatisfactory service and letters of complaints to the National Water Commission (NWC), I made arrangements to collect, clean and store rainwater.

A study of rainfall in my area made it clear that I don't really need the NWC, even if it ever finds a meter reader and becomes competent in calculating a correct bill. So I thought it would be a good idea to let NWC know that it can use the few litres of water I get elsewhere. Silly me!

On February 7, 2013, I wrote to the manager of NWC, Mandeville, my letter headed TERMINATION of SUPPLY CONTRACT - also my account number, and asked that my account be closed no later than February 28, 2013.

Two months later and with no response from the NWC, I wrote to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) on May 3, 2013 and enclosed a copy of the letter I sent to the NWC and requested intervention from the OUR, as the NWC not only failed to carry out the account closure and removal of the meter, but continues to bill me for service charge and the small amount of water that passes the meter after February 28, 2013.

I closed the stop valve feeding the meter in early March, as I had made up my mind not to pay a single cent more to this poorly run utility.

I know that many in the private sector, and especially the public sector, in Jamaica do not understand the common customer-service courtesy of a prompt acknowledgement to an enquiry or complaint, but this has gone beyond a joke!

Up to writing this letter on July 9, I have not received a response from the NWC or the OUR. It could be that my letters have not reached either of these offices; however, both envelopes carried my mailing address and they have not been returned. The last time I checked, the post office was still working; it never failed to deliver the bills anyway!

I would be very grateful if you will allow me just two questions.

1) Can anyone out there (this includes whomever that is masquerading as manager of NWC at the office I wrote to) please tell me why the NWC is not able to carry out my instruction more than midway 2013, even with a signed letter?

2) Are the recipients of my letters among the public-sector workers whose jobs we were constantly reminded during recent negotiations with the IMF must be saved?

H.B. FOSTER
Southfield, St Elizabeth