Rural community left in the dark

Some residents of Cottage Hill in rural St Andrew feel like they are living in the Dark Ages, because they have never had electricity.

The residents told THE STAR that only seven of the 26 homes in the community have electricity, and the ones who do get it from a neighbouring area. Those still in the dark expressed frustration that they have been trying for years to get regularised electricity from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), with no success. Some residents have resorted to stealing electricity.

"It's not something that we really like, because we make several attempts to go down to JPS and it still doesn't work," said one resident. "We're criminals because we a 'throw up', and we don't want to do it; we want the right thing."

Pauland Simpson said that JPS representatives came to the community two years ago, planted new posts and ran wires. But to this day, no electricity has reached their homes.

"Nuh matta how we speak about it, nobody comes. JPS seh them need how much persons to come and apply for the light before them even look at us," Simpson said. She added that she has tried on multiple occasions to reach out to the political representatives, with no success.

"When you call the MP's office, them always a tell yuh 'bout yuh councillors, and it's very hard to get to the councillor 'cause first of all, I've never seen my councillor from I've been here. Never. I don't know weh him look like," Simpson said.

For Anita Grant, the lack of electricity forces her and her three children to use candles and lamps. She added that in order to press her children's clothes, she has to go to her uncle's house.

"The throw up don't safe because more while them come, them cut dung everything; and when yuh look now, the whole place inna darkness again. Suh it just nuh safe," Grant said. The residents also said that because there are no street lights, they do not feel safe.

When THE STAR reached out to the JPS, a representative said that they were not aware of the issue but will be investigating the matter and carrying out a full assessment to determine the way forward.

K.T.