By Gary Spaulding
President of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Kelly Tomblin, is emerging as an illuminating figure in this rather dark era in Jamaica marked by the spectres of cynicism and scepticism.
Tomblin’s promise to humanise the JPS, made at a recent Rotary Club of Kingston function, has lit up a realm in which promises are made and broken all too often; and where acceptable customer service delivery is almost non-existent.
If the avowals of Tomblin to transform the JPS into something remotely human – a Herculean task if there ever was one – are greeted with scepticism from a disbelieving populace, Jamaicans cannot be blamed.
Given, however, her energy and guided by her seeming penchant for detail, Tomblin came across as eminently credible as she highlighted her undertaking to bring back civility to the light and power company.
In unveiling her plans, there were some flashing signals which suggest that, more than likely, she can be taken seriously, even as she admitted that the public glare is having a less-than-comforting effect on her company.
MULTIFACETED PLAN
It was not the engaging personality of the JPS president that flickered the brightest when she spoke at length about her plans for a JPS with a human face, rather, it was the fact that she spent much time plodding painstakingly through the various dimensions of the multifaceted plan.
Perhaps justifiably, the clamour for an end to be brought to JPS’s monopoly in Jamaica is in vogue.
What was particularly refreshing was Toblin’s unsolicited promise to Rotarians last week that she was determined to change the fixtures of the JPS’s internal structures and promised that the changing beams would be forthcoming within six months.
Like her most recent predecessors, Tomblin is not Jamaican. However, Jamaicans have primarily been the face of the organisation. While the policies of the principals of JPS may have been harsh beyond words, the unfitting and downright indecent conduct to the people of Jamaica by its Jamaican workers, particularly to those in the lower realms of society, has been troubling.
It is a moot point that the boorish behaviour of many Jamaicans who are paid to serve those who indirectly pay them is commonplace, but there are a few companies that ensure that the customer service they offer is sound.
Tomblin started well by acknowledging this unacceptable disconnect from the people of Jamaica and proceeded to shed light