Jamaica’s National Water Commission (NWC) has lost over J$1bn (US$11.4mn) in revenue in 2009 due to fraud and theft, paper the Jamaica Observer reported [15 Sep 2009].
“The commission is losing significant revenue due to theft and fraud from consumers and, unfortunately, there are some cases of theft and fraud which occur with the collusion of employees. Lost revenue is in excess of J$1bn,” NWC communications manager Charles Buchanan was quoted as saying.
The most recent case involved NWC zone team leader Carlton Bogle, who is expected to appear in court on October 6 after being charged with 34 counts of fraud. An internal audit by NWC revealed that Bogle had amassed J$1.25mn between 2005 and 2008 by writing false bills.
Other instances of fraud include employees using company cards to pay for gas which was then used for private purposes.
The company is also trying to deal with illegal water connections.
Last week police and NWC staff disconnected 18 illegal connections from the Malvern pipeline that were being used to water both legal and illegal crops in southwestern parish St Elizabeth.
The theft of water from the Malvern pipeline has had serious effects on the farming belt of St Elizabeth.
Illegal connections affect legitimate customers, including farmers who are dependent on the supply, as both the pressure and the quality of water drops, according to the NWC.
Source: BNamericas.com [subscription site], 17 Sep 2009
that’s sad