Power returns to 94 per cent of homes - But some communities still in the dark

A resident of Hopewell, Hanover, is claiming that a contractor from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) offered to restore his electricity supply for a hefty price tag of $230,000.

Like other rural areas of Jamaica, residents in sections of the town have been without power since the passage of Hurricane Beryl. The resident, who has lived in the town for years, told THE STAR about the alleged conversation.

"I was talking to someone I know that is contracted to work with the JPS and I was telling him that I don't have any electricity," the man stated. "He asked me, 'Why you nuh just chump up something and me and the guys dem get the truck put on the light for you'?"

According to the man, the contractor suggested a payment of $230,000 for the restoration, leaving him shocked.

"That a robbery," the man exclaimed. He expressed further shock when he reached out to someone who is employed directly at JPS.

"I don't know of them taking money to restore electricity," he said, noting that the representative advised him against paying anyone, warning that many are exploiting the situation. The news team tried to contact Audrey Williams, media and public relations manager at JPS. However, efforts to get a comment proved futile up to press time. Despite assurances from JPS, sections of Kew, Jericho, Cascade, and Birches Hill all in Hanover remain without power.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the JPS has reported that it has supplemented its resource pool with former employees and engaged local contractors from the bauxite industry assigned to Hanover and St Elizabeth. In addition, the company is currently engaging Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation Utilities to provide support resources in the coming days. Holness said line workers from countries such as Belize and Cayman Islands are expected to come in and help the JPS to address the outage pockets. Overall, power has been restored to approximately 655,000 customers, which represents 94.6 per cent of the customer base.

He noted that there have been reports about unscrupulous individuals pretending to be JPS workers and requesting that communities pay money for their power to be restored. Holness said the practice was unacceptable and reminded citizens that this unsafe, illegal, and unethical activity poses a threat to their lives, their property, and the lives of the legitimate JPS crews working on the lines. Holness also noted that some persons are demonstrating because of the delay in getting back their electricity. While expressing understanding of their frustration, Holness said everything was being done to get to these communities as quickly as possible. He, however, opined that the demonstrations do not help and could potentially delay restoration efforts, as the road blocks will impede access. There are also safety concerns, as JPS employees could be exposed to violence and confrontations in communities where persons are protesting. Holness asked for patience from those without power.Residents like Vernon remain hopeful yet frustrated as they await the return of normalcy amid the challenges brought by Hurricane Beryl and the subsequent delays in restoration efforts.