117 Canadian Linesmen Arrive to Strengthen Jamaica’s Electricity Restoration Efforts

Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says the arrival of 117 additional overseas linesmen on Wednesday (December 17) represents a significant escalation in efforts to restore electricity to communities severely impacted by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing journalists after the arrival of the linesmen from Canada at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James, Minister Vaz noted that the deployment marked the third aircraft to land within two days, increasing the number of personnel beyond the initial projection of 200.

He indicated that the deployment is steadily approaching the planned complement of 300 workers, with additional personnel and critical equipment shipments expected in the coming days.

“Out of the 300, I think we are close to 228. The balance of the 300, which probably will be between 70 and 80, will arrive on the 23rd (December), ahead of the first barge on the 24th, and the second barge on the 25th with over 200 pieces of equipment,” the Minister said.

Mr. Vaz explained that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has committed to ensuring that the incoming teams are swiftly mobilised.

“As JPS has said, they will go through orientation one day and be in the field the next,” he stated.

The Minister said the progress in electricity restoration, to date, is notable, given the timelines required for approvals and coordination.

“We only got Cabinet approval two months ago, and JPS only got their approval from their Board last week. So to be in this position [at this time] is huge,” he noted.

Against that background, Mr. Vaz outlined clear expectations for the timeline of electricity restoration across affected areas.

“Some [persons can expect restoration] by Christmas, some by New Year, and the majority by the middle… to end of January,” he said, describing the timeline as “a commitment”.

Minister Vaz also reaffirmed the Government’s role in facilitating the response.

“The Government has committed the funding, and the results are already evident,” he declared.

While acknowledging the progress achieved, Mr. Vaz underscored the importance of maintaining a visible presence in communities that remain without electricity.

Providing an operational update, JPS President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hugh Grant, reported that restoration efforts have already reached the majority of customers islandwide.

“We have 84 per cent of our customers restored. It’s not by chance. It’s due to us working 24/7… having the right processes, the right frameworks in place, and having our people continue to go above and beyond,” he said.

Mr. Grant explained that the newly arrived linesmen will bolster ongoing restoration efforts, with focus on the western region, “in particular… Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Hanover, and St. James”.

He noted that the scale of damage in those areas has demanded more than routine repairs.

“What we’re seeing is a redesign and a rebuild, and not [just] restoration, given the devastation whereby you have multiple and hundreds of poles that are actually down,” Mr. Grant stated.

Responding to concerns from residents still without power, the CEO said JPS has completed damage assessments across all affected communities, adding that crews are working around the clock to restore electricity as safely and swiftly as possible.