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The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1995 to regulate the operations of the utility companies in the following sectors: - Electricity - Telecommunications - Water Supply & Sewerage - Public Passenger Transport by road, rail and ferry. Examples of these companies are the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and the National Water Commission (NWC). The OUR is headed by a Director General who is supported by Deputy Directors General. The Director General is appointed by the Governor General while the Deputy Directors General are appointed by the Prime Minister. As part of its regulatory functions, the OUR seeks to empower customers of the utility companies by advising them of their rights and responsibilities in their dealings with the companies. If you have a problem with one of the utility companies, the Consumer Relations Unit (CRU) in the Consumer and Public Affairs (CPA) Division will thoroughly review/investigate the matter at no cost to you, the customer. However, we require that you first discuss the complaint with the utility company. If you are not satisfied with the company's response or if they do not respond to you; get in touch with the OUR and we will exercise our mandate of appeal. The OUR can be contacted via several media, including: Complaint/Comment Forms which are available at post offices islandwide. They do not require a stamp. Fill out as many as you need and leave them at the post office. Telephone us at (876) 968-6053 or call toll free at 1888-CALL-OUR (2255-687) to lodge appeals or get further information. OR E-mail us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it To ensure that the utility companies provide certain minimum levels of service to customers, service standards, known as Guaranteed Standards, were developed for the JPS and NWC. If either of the companies fails to honour the standards, the affected customer is entitled to monetary compensation from the company. The OUR is committed to public education and consultation. We regularly organize seminars and town meetings. Can the OUR be invited to speak to a group in your community? Yes! We welcome such invitations. If you would like a representative of the OUR to speak at a community, church or service club meeting, contact the Public Education Unit (PEU) by calling (876) 968-6053 or toll free at 1888-CALL-OUR (2255-687). We will try to facilitate an early and convenient date. The OUR receives and reviews applications for licenses and rate reviews from the utility companies. The OUR also investigates possible breaches of license conditions by the companies and takes enforcement action where appropriate, all designed to protect the interests of consumers. Office of Utilities Regulation 3rd Floor, PCJ Resource center 36 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10. Tel: (876) 968-6053 Toll Free: 1888-Call-OUR (2255-687) Fax: 929-3635. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.our.org.jm |