The Editor, Sir:

The general public has been suffering for years with the extremely poor customer service meted out by our public utilities. It is about time that these utilities realise that we are paying for a service, which is almost non-existent.

In my area, for months we have had problems with low water pressure and we have to be using containers to throw water on ourselves in order to have a bath.

The persons who answer the phone for the NWC are extremely polite, but they are unable to help us.

In my last talk with one of these very polite persons, I was asked to evaluate the performance of the NWC and I had to be quite frank in telling her how impressed I have been with all the staff who take calls, but this was only in relation to them as the maintenance service has sunk to very, very low levels.

Most times when the NWC is called, they are not aware that there are problems and they tend to make you feel that you are going around the bend, because they have no problem and their system is working wonderfully.

This morning, to my surprise, when I called and spoke to a staff member, I was blithely informed that they have found the source of the problem and within a few hours, we would be receiving full water supplies. A few hours have since passed and still only a trickle of water is coming through my taps.

NWC also has the nerve to be requesting an increase in rates of 40 per cent; unbelievable!

JPS provides us with many mini powercuts at all hours and I have yet to hear either in print or on radio or television a reason for these outages and what they intend to do to improve the service. Our public utilities are evidently unaware of the simple words, "We are sorry for the problems caused, we are endea-vouring to do better."

JPS in some areas does not send out bills and then disconnect and you have to pay exorbitant fees for reconnection. Where is our protector the Office of Utilities Regulations in all of this?

Over to you, chief servant, can you please press the various buttons so that your subjects will eventually receive what we pay for?

I am, etc.,

BARBARA COVER

Kingston 6