Houses of More Than 200 Residents of Clarendon South East to be Wired

More than 200 residents in communities across Clarendon South East will have their houses wired soon under the Rural Electrification Programme (REP), administered by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

This was disclosed during a recent tour of the communities by Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz.

The communities to benefit are Woodside, Corn Hill, Piece River and Unity Heights.

Minister Vaz said the project will be done in two phases, commencing early next year in Unity Heights where 40 houses will be wired over approximately eight weeks.

The other communities will be budgeted next year as “priority” he further stated, while encouraging the residents to make use of the provision, which is a grant of over $100,000 per household.

“You cannot have that payment being spent and you don’t sign up to connect, and you continue with the illegal connection,” Mr. Vaz emphasised.

For his part, Minister of Labour and Social Security and Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said a “comprehensive evaluation” has been done on the communities, as “electrification is fundamental to improving the lives of the residents.”

The REP aims to extend electricity to rural Jamaica as part of the Government’s commitment to provide the entire island with access to electricity, and stimulate economic and social activities and provide a better quality life in rural communities.

The initiative is providing access to electricity within underserved peri-urban and rural communities, and forms part of the Administration’s policy of increasing access to basic services.

It also supports efforts at building sustainable rural communities.