JPS to Boost Pool of Workers to Restore Electricity in Sections of the Island

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has informed that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) will be boosting its pool of workers, including getting overseas assistance, to restore electricity in sections of the island.

“The JPS has reported that it has supplemented its resource pool with former employees as well as engaging local contractors from the bauxite industry assigned to Hanover and St. Elizabeth,” he said.

In addition, he said the company is currently engaging Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation to provide support resources in the coming days.

Mr. Holness was making a statement on the Hurricane Beryl Relief and Recovery Efforts, in the House of Representatives on July 16.

“We should be getting line workers from countries such as Belize and Cayman Islands, who will help JPS to address the outage pockets that exist within the island,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the JPS has indicated that they are targeting the week ending August 10 for full restoration islandwide.

He noted that overall, power has been restored to approximately 655,000 customers, which represents 94.6 per cent of the customer base of the country.

“Power has been restored to all major hospitals. Restoration to critical National Water Commission (NWC) sites is approximately 81 per cent complete as of July 16. I am pleased to report that power has been restored to approximately 49 per cent of customers in St. Elizabeth. Key areas restored include sections of Black River, Junction, Alligator Pond, Santa Cruz, Shiloh Rd, Lacovia, Elderslie, and Top Hill,” Mr. Holness said.

He noted that in Manchester, Duff House NWC pump, Alligator Pond, Moorelands Housing Scheme and Spaldings power has been restored.

“In Clarendon, sections of Lionel Town, Mitchell Town, Rocky Point, and Portland Cottage have been restored. The target for full restoration in those areas would be the end of July,” he said.

He noted that unforeseen circumstances, such as rain, the realignment of poles, will impact the work of the team from JPS to carry out their duties and restore power in certain areas.

“We were given some targets that obviously were ambitious but, generally, 10 days after a hurricane to be at 94 per cent is a significant achievement. There are other countries which would have gotten hit by a category-one hurricane and there are still complaints of over 500,000 customers without electricity. This is not in any way to diminish the frustration that persons who are without electricity have, but I think in general, we need to moderate the expectations of immediate return,” the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, he urged Jamaicans without electricity to exercise patience as the power company works to complete its restoration efforts.

“We are also aware that some persons are demonstrating because of the delay in getting back their electricity. We understand your frustration, and we are doing everything to get to your electricity as quickly as possible. But the demonstrations will not help. The demonstrations could potentially delay restoration efforts in those communities, as the roadblocks will impede access,” the Prime Minister said.

“There are also safety concerns, as JPS employees could be exposed to violence and confrontations in communities where persons are protesting. We know it’s inconvenient to be without your electricity service but, again, I ask for patience. JPS is doing everything to get your power back to you as soon as possible,” Mr. Holness added.

He further noted that there have been reports about unscrupulous individuals pretending to be JPS workers requesting that the communities pay money for their power to be restored.

“This is totally unacceptable. We want to remind our citizens that this is unsafe, illegal, and unethical and poses a threat to their lives, their property, and the lives of the legitimate JPS crews working on the lines,” the Prime Minister said.