Llandilo Phases 5 and 6 get Electricity

Electricity has been supplied to more than 60 houses at Llandilo Phases 5 and 6 in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, on December 23, officially commissioned the service. The project was undertaken by the Rural Electrification Programme (REP).

In his address, the Minister said provision of electricity for the residents of Llandilo Phases 5 and 6 forms part of a programme which was announced earlier this year, aimed at developing the parish of Westmoreland.

“Electricity is a tremendous enabler for wealth creation. To get rid of poverty you must bring electricity to the people. We have done about 97.5 per cent of the country, but in Westmoreland we have a lot more than 2.5 per cent to do. In addition to what we are doing here, we have another project valued at $13 million in Seaton Estates, New Town and in Sharlin through Grotto,” he noted.

He urged the residents of the communities to ensure that they regularize the electricity supply to their houses, now that the system is up and running, and to ensure that they pay their bills.

“I know you are ready and willing to pay your electricity bills on time and you are going to prevent people from throwing up wires to steal from you, because they are really stealing from all of us and we want to make here a model community,” Mr. Paulwell said.

The Minister informed that this year more than $130 million has been spent by the REP in running over 30 kilometres of lines across Jamaica.

Mr. Paulwell said that once the outstanding 2.5 per cent of Jamaicans are provided with electricity, the REP in its present form will be disbanded, and will be transformed into an energy solution company, where they will assist the Government in rolling out renewable energy across Jamaica.

Ho noted that this will assist in regularizing some of the urban areas…and help in ensuring that those communities that are now stealing, can come onto the grid legally.