West Rural St. Andrew Communities Receive Electricity

Some 45 houses in the vicinity of Bogg Lane and Boswell Heights in West Rural St. Andrew are to be provided with electricity for the first time, through the work of National Energy Solutions Ltd (NESol), in the upcoming weeks.

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, on February 17, switched on a street light at a ceremony in the Bogg Lane community, following the connection of newly-constructed distribution lines in the areas.

The lines were constructed in Boswell Heights and Bogg Lane at a total cost of $4 million.

The Minister hailed the NESoL team for its dedicated service, noting that the government-run company, recently established to include the services of the Rural Electrification Programme (REP), has demonstrated that it is in tune with the vision of the Government.

“This is a significant function because we now accept that electricity is not a privilege but a fundamental right for every Jamaican to have,” he said, adding that the Government is focused on bringing access to 100 per cent across the island. He said 97.5 per cent of communities are currently connected.

Meanwhile, he said the Ministry continues to focus on making energy more sustainable through the utilisation of renewable sources, such as solar, wind and rivers.

For his part, Chairman of NESoL, Rev. Dr. Garnett Roper, encouraged the residents to utilise the connection of electricity, and by extension access to the internet, to create opportunities for commerce and employment.