Flow Takes Strong Stance Against Theft

 Kingston, Jamaica; In a civil case taken by Flow against Mandeville based Mars Cable Vision Ltd, the Supreme Court recently ruled that Mars must pay Flow US$25,000 plus interest and damages for using telecommunications equipment stolen from Flow. 

“Theft and sabotage have had a significant negative impact on our bottom line and we will not stand idly by and allow it to continue unchecked. Flow will employ all legal measures necessary to protect our investment,” said Michele English, president and coo of Flow. According to English, theft is also proving to be a major constraint to its island-wide deployment of service as Flow has to be pumping millions to manage the effects of crime against the company.  

In addition, theft and sabotage are having a negative impact on the quality of customer service, as theft of equipment invariably results in an interruption of service.   “When an individual or group chooses to steal our resources, this reckless action not only affects our ability to deliver service to our customers, but also the income of our employees and contractors, and the welfare of their families. This is simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated,” she said.

Despite the negative impact of crime on the Company, Michele reiterated Flow’s commitment to continue to build on its US$350m investment in Jamaica and in fact will invest another US$30Million in capital this year.  She however calls on the appropriate authorities to address this matter with great urgency as the impact of crime is a major deterrent to local and foreign investors. At the recent Jamaica Investment Forum in Montego Bay, Flow’s infrastructure was highlighted as a major contributor to providing the technology platform that makes Jamaica a prime target for foreign investment.  “Jamaica can only benefit if we make the business climate much more conducive to investors.  We have to be more aggressive in stemming the impact of crime, for the business community.

In the meantime English reiterated the company’s strong position against crime and criminal action against Flow saying, ”We will continue to protect the investment in our infrastructure at all costs so that Jamaicans can enjoy the benefits of the advanced telecommunications services which drive national development and transform and enhance the way we all work, play and learn.”