The Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) says gunmen held up and robbed its contractors at gunpoint on Wednesday, relieving them of a van containing approximately 2,000 electricity bills.

The members of the team, who were unharmed, were delivering bills in the Barbican, St Andrew, area.

"JPS is presently taking urgent steps to replace the bills which were stolen," the light and power company said in a release yesterday. "Consequently, customers in this area may experience some delays in receiving their bills, while others may receive their bills twice - as they may have received a bill prior to the robbery of the van, in addition to the replacement bill."

Customers affected by this incident are in the following areas:

East Kings House Road and roads leading off; Barbican Avenue and Drive and the surrounding areas; Oaklawn Drive; Millsborough and Halifax avenues and roads leading off.

JPS said it apologises for any inconvenience caused by the incident, and that customers in these areas may call the Customer Care Centre at 1-888-225-5577 or 1-888-CALLJPS to discuss any concerns they may have.

The police are investigating the matter.