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At a 103 years old, Vincent Wilson says that he has no interest in becoming technology savvy and as such would rather that his utility bills are delivered to his mailbox.

However, as the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is transitioning to a paperless billing system, the majority of customers now receive their bills via email or SMS messages. However, Wilson is imploring the utility company to make an exception for him.

"It's been a few months since I received a bill through the mail and when I went to JPS this morning (yesterday) they told me that bills are being sent to email now. I don't use email or I do not own a cell phone because I cannot hear clearly. I have a house phone but I can barely hear when it is ringing even if it is turned up. This morning they write the amount that I owed on a piece of paper and give me but I want to see the bill in person," he said.

The daily movement of persons 65 and older are restricted by Government COVID-19 protocols. But the centenarian decided to take the bus to visit the JPS offices to get his bill sorted out. "I don't want to owe my bill but I need to get it on time so I can pay it. This email thing is not going to work for me," he said.

Go fully paperless

JPS' director of communications, Winsome Callum, told THE STAR that although the company is hoping to go fully paperless by year end, the company can make special arrangements for Wilson to receive his physical bill.

"So we will be reaching out to him to do that. We are transitioning to paperless and later this year we will be completely paperless so we are encouraging persons to provide their emails and telephone number so they can receive their bills. Mr Wilson should not be on the road so I will be in dialogue with our customer service department to see if there is any additional way we can make arrangements for Mr Wilson and others like him to get their bills paid," she said.

Meanwhile, Wilson celebrated his 103rd birthday at his home in Washington Gardens last Saturday with a few of his closest friends.

"They cooked food and took a cake for me. It was a really good day, I got a clock for my birthday and they were able to make some international calls for me so I could speak to my relatives overseas. All of that made my day special," he said. "I am grateful that I am in a position where I can live comfortable. God has really been good to me." As for COVID-19, the centenarian said that he was approached by health officials to be vaccinated but he declined.

"I am looking to die at any moment now as I did not know I would live to see 100. I am wearing a pacemaker because I have a heart condition so I would not waste the vaccine. I have lived a full life so I would rather my dose of injection be given to someone who have their entire life ahead of them," he said.