Toll Booths Ready to Open for Storm Traffic – Minister Vaz

Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says he is expected to give a directive for the opening of toll booths as Tropical Storm Melissa nears the island.

“As of right now the build-up is not bad”, he said, noting that “I have already signed an order, which just needs to be dated so that it can be effected immediately”.

“So, once we see it, and I suspect it will be closer to Monday with the big impact coming between Monday and Tuesday, that is when the necessity would arise,” Minister Vaz said.

He was addressing a special press briefing on preparations for Tropical Storm Melissa at Jamaica House on Saturday (Oct. 25).

The Minister further informed that once the weather system passes, he will give the directive to open the toll roads for emergency services and residents who want to check on families and their businesses.

Meanwhile, Minister Vaz noted that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is on standby to collaborate with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to assist with evacuations.

He said that previous updates provided about the telecommunications companies and Petrojam remain, as emergency protocols have been activated and are ready.

The Minister went on to appeal to Jamaicans not to take the impending storm lightly, comparing the slow-moving system to previous catastrophic hurricanes such as Charlie in 1951 and Gilbert in 1988.

“Those of us who were around for Gilbert know exactly [what happened] but there are many that did not experience it. So, I am saying to you, safety is a priority and being smart helps a lot. Don’t make foolish decisions like coming out in the middle of the storm to see what’s happening,” Minister Vaz implored.

“Please, I am making a special appeal because we are in a  very, very serious time over the next few days and we need all Jamaica to band together and most importantly prayers up, up, up for every single Jamaican and Jamaica land we love,” he added.

A Hurricane Warning is now in effect for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa nears hurricane strength and is expected to intensify today.