South East St. Elizabeth Communities get Electricity

Residents of six communities in South East St. Elizabeth have much to rejoice about as lights were turned on in their communities last Friday (April 16).
The electrification of the six communities: Bull Savannah, Top Hill (Down Country), Rose Hall (Wood Hall), Neif Mountain, Mount Pleasant and Ivor Cottage, was undertaken by the Rural Electrification Programme (REP) through $11.2 million in funding from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Member of Parliament, Mr. Franklyn Witter, speaking with JIS News at the official lighting ceremony held on Friday (April 16) in Ivor Cottage said that there are plans in place to switch on lights in other areas.
“I have other projects like these in the constituency; those lights will be turned on in another two weeks are so,” he said.
He told the residents that the electrification of their communities will enhance economic activities as well as increase the value of their properties.
“It is going to make your life better not only in relation to the service that you will get from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) but in terms of the economic development that will flow as a result of having electricity in your community,” he noted.
A total of 17 communities across St. Elizabeth have received electricity in recent times.
Turning to other projects, Mr. Witter informed that the Essex Valley water project, which is being undertaken at a cost of approximately $350 million, and will provide the critical resource to residents across the constituency, will be completed during the course of next year.