East Central St Catherine Member of Parliament, Alando Terrelongue says the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) office in Spanish Town is not properly equipped to accommodate customers who once used the Portmore office.

The JPS closed its Portmore office today as part of a move to encourage customers to go online. However, several residents of Portmore, among them Mayor Leon Thomas, have criticized the move and urged the light and power company to reverse its decision.

Terrelongue, having visited the Spanish Town branch, concluded that there is much work to be done for the facility to be in a position to accommodate people from Portmore.

“There is no room for social distancing. Customers were on the sidewalk out in the sun waiting to be assisted. … I do not believe the location is ideal to accommodate customers from Spanish Town, Portmore and other areas across St Catherine,” the Member of Parliament said.

He continued: “While the global move to more technology- based platforms is inevitable, it would have made greater sense to these customers for a phased approach to have been recommended and implemented. This would have secured the buy-in of more residents, even amongst the 2500 who you mention still use your walk in facilities at this location.”

The MP suggested that the decision to close the Portmore branch be delayed by at least a few months, given the surge in COVID-19 cases.