JPS Repositioning Resources to Support Electricity Restoration in St. Elizabeth

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is gradually moving resources from other sections of the island to St. Elizabeth to support electricity restoration efforts in the parish, following disruptions during Hurricane Beryl’s passage. 

This was disclosed by JPS Senior Vice President, Customer Experience and Commercial, Pia Baker, who indicated that as significant power restoration is undertaken in various sections of the island, a majority of the resources used in those areas will be relocated to St. Elizabeth. 

The parish was the hardest hit during the hurricane’s passage on July 3, with the southern region bearing the brunt of the impact. 

“By next week this time, majority of the resources, as well as supporting resources from many different areas of the business, will be based in St. Elizabeth; all hands [will be] on deck to [fully restore power]… here,” Ms. Baker said.  

She was speaking with JIS News during a Back-to-School Fair at B.B. Coke High School in Junction, St. Elizabeth, on August 9.   

Ms. Baker pointed out that with south St. Elizabeth being the hardest hit by the hurricane’s gale force winds and torrential rains, efforts beyond the general parish restoration activities will be required to bring the area back to normalcy.  

“In some areas, we will have to rebuild and redesign our network. It is better to do it that way and have some resilience put back in the grid that supports St. Elizabeth, as opposed to trying to do a quick restoration. We understand that it is very inconvenient, but we are making a longer-term investment to get it back up properly,” she said.  

Meanwhile, Ms. Baker thanked residents across the parish who are still without electricity, particularly along the southern coast, for their patience as the JPS continues restoration efforts.   

“I know [their patience] has worn extremely thin… and… we understand the frustration. We understand because we have a lot of our JPS family who are here. We are [working] to get [full restoration]… and we will not stop until every customer [has power],” Ms. Baker said. 

The back-to-school fair was held in partnership with Food for the Poor, JPS,  Digicel Foundation and Flow Foundation.  

Residents attending were able to access services offered by several government agencies, including Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and HEART/NSTA Trust. 

They also received free medicals as well as school supplies.