Residents of Fruitful Vale Get Electricity

Some 26 households in Fruitful Vale, Portland, now have access to electricity, as a result of a partnership between the Rural Electrification Programme (REP), and Member of  Parliament for West Portland, Daryl Vaz.

Approximately 0.17 kilometre of line was installed by the REP at a cost of  $640,000. Of the 26 households, 17 have been wired, and the Ministry of Science, Technology,  Energy and Mining (STEM), will be  installing  energy saving light bulbs in some of the houses.

Speaking at a lighting ceremony in the area on October 10, State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Julian Robinson, said children will now have a better means of doing school work at home, and they should make the best of what the electricity offers. He also encouraged the residents to engage in conservation measures.

“Those of you who are the beneficiaries, utilize this electricity in a positive way for the development of yourselves and the development of your children. Ensure that you conserve, because when the light bill comes, we don’t want people who can’t pay…and then we end up with people throwing up (lines) and trying to do other things which we don’t want,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz told the gathering that the REP is one of the best institutions to be established, and that it continues to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people across the island.

“This  is offering the people a commodity that is a way of life for other people, and which they deserve.  It is a very big step and a bold move to be able to empower the people,” he added.

Community resident, Carlene Wilson, said persons “were afraid to come through…because it was very dark and scary. Now we can come without any fear, and we are so grateful and glad for this initiative.”

Another community member, Kevin Wynter, said “words are not enough to express how much a blessing it is to leave from the darkness and come into the light.”