Residents of Barry Get Electricity

The community of Barry, in St. Catherine, is now benefitting from electricity, following the commissioning of light for the area by Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, on September 17.

This project was carried out by the Rural Electrification Programme (REP), at a cost of $14 million, with 45 houses being wired.

The Prime Minister told residents at the ceremony that she “pushed” for the completion of the work, which was started by the previous administration, because persons from all rural communities need to have electricity.

“The rural folks must be able to share the same things of life that those of us who have electricity do. I fought for it, and supported your Member of Parliament,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She emphasized that she is determined to have electricity reach the entire island, as improved light helps children in their studies, and also aid in business operations.

“I know what it is for children to be doing school work with a lamp, and I do not want the children of today to experience what we the older ones experienced in our time. I am very happy that the children of Barry will no longer have to be using lamps, our children deserve better,” the Prime Minister said.

“I am pushing my Minister (Hon. Phillip Paulwell), to ensure (that the whole island gets electricity). It is now at 97 per cent, and I want one hundred per cent,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

In an interview with JIS News, Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, said installation of the 5.1 kilometres of distribution line was very important.

“It is very significant, because it is a lot of terrain. We intend to follow through (with our commitment), to ensure that we get 100 per cent connection very soon,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for West Central St. Catherine, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, commended the Prime Minister for her support of the project.

“It is going to give us a sense of safety and security in the community, it will assist children who are doing homework, and will assist adults who want to  work late at nights,” he said.