Gov’t Gives “All Clear” for Restoration of Utility Services

Government has given the “all clear” signal for utility service providers to begin restoration efforts islandwide.

The directive comes following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which is now a category-three system moving north of the island.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, speaking at this morning’s (October 29) press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Kingston, said the “all clear” was issued on guidance from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

“When we give an all clear, it means that our utility companies should now commence restoration and recovery operations across the island. So, crews from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), National Water Commission (NWC), National Works Agency (NWA), and also our telecommunications companies and other critical service entities have now and will be advised to mobilise immediately to restore electricity, water, and communication networks,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Morris Dixon urged entities such as supermarkets, wholesales, gas stations, and pharmacies to open for business, particularly in the less-impacted areas.

“We are asking you to open and allow communities to have access to these essential goods and services. As always, we continue to ask and remind Jamaicans to exercise caution on the roads, especially where there are downed power lines, debris, or flooding, and so please still be careful,” she urged.

She pointed out that “even though we’ve given the all clear, it is for our utility providers and other important essential providers to do the necessary work to restore service.”