Steady Progress in Power and Water Restoration Across St. James

Power and water restoration efforts across St. James are progressing steadily in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, according to Montego Bay Mayor, Councillor Richard Vernon.

Speaking with JIS News after a follow-up meeting of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) held at the St. James Municipal Corporation in Montego Bay on Monday (November 10), Councillor Vernon noted that operations teams remain actively engaged in efforts to restore essential services in the hurricane’s aftermath.

“Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has now provided power to several communities, and they are now moving into the business district of Montego Bay. Fairview is fully powered. They have powered the section that carries the liquid natural gas, and those are important areas to power,” Councillor Vernon said.

He added that the JPS is prioritising the restoration of electricity in critical service areas, before extending efforts to residential communities.

“They are now running the power from the Bevin Avenue area to Queen’s Drive… that will go to power Sangster International Airport. Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) is powered, the Bogue treatment plant and the Great River pump station have been powered, then we will power the grids that lead to larger communities and then the smaller off-routes,” the Mayor explained.

Regarding water supply, Councillor Vernon noted that the National Water Commission (NWC) has resumed distribution to several communities – a development that will significantly aid ongoing clean-up and sanitation efforts.

“West Green and Catherine Hall will be receiving water between today (Monday) or early tomorrow (Tuesday). Once they have water, they’ll be able to clean their yard spaces and homes, and we’ll also be able to wash off critical areas across the community,” he outlined.

Councillor Vernon advised that the EOC) continues to closely monitor all developments to ensure the safe and orderly restoration of essential services.

“We are working closely with JPS and NWC, and we are on the pathway to full restoration across the parish,” he stated.

Mayor Vernon urged residents to exercise patience as the recovery process continues, reaffirming that “the mission remains the same – restoration, clean-up, and monitoring”.