Plans in Place for Telecommunications, Transportation and Energy Services

As Jamaica prepares for the impact of Hurricane Beryl, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, is assuring that measures are in place to ensure that members of the public can access critical services.

He said telecommunications companies, Flow and Digicel, have assured that their emergency plans are in order.

“I’m also in touch with Starlink that could give us some coverage as well,” he said, while addressing a press conference at Jamaica House on Monday (July 1).

Regarding operations at the airports, Mr. Vaz informed that the facilities are working with the airlines “and, of course, we’ll open until it is no longer safe to do so.”

In relation to ground transportation, the Minister said the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has a protocol in place which will facilitate the entity working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) regarding transportation to shelters.

Turning to energy, Mr. Vaz advised that the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) provided the Government with its emergency plan at the end of May.

He further indicated that State refinery, Petrojam Limited, has two weeks energy supply in stock.

“So, we are in good stead and have arrangements for back up, once we know what the true situation is. From that perspective, I just want to reassure the country that these State and public agencies and private entities are ready to work with the Government in relation to the response,” the Minister said.

Mr. Vaz added that “we hope and pray that we will not need it; but we always have to be prepared, so I give you that assurance.”