Hampstead Park to plug into safe electricity

More than 200 households in Hampstead Park, St Andrew Eastern, are finally set to receive safe, legal, and reliable electricity.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), comes under the JSIF Rural Electrification Project, a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, and the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).

Funded by grants, the project aims to bring underserved communities across the island on to the national electricity grid.

Member of Parliament for the area, Fayval Williams, urged residents to take full advantage.

"We want all Jamaicans who do not currently have safe and secure access to electricity to get on to this service," she said. "With prepaid meters, you will be able to manage your electricity consumption - buying $3,500 worth... $1,000 worth - just like a phonecard."

The official launch took place on Thursday (June 12) at the Hampstead Community Centre - and it brought more than just lights. It sparked hope.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said the Hampstead project is part of the Government's wider Rural Electrification Programme. He said that homes that meet certain criteria - like being structurally sound and legally occupied - will be eligible for completely free house wiring under the Government's Free House Wiring Programme.

"Each participating household will receive support valued approximately $183,000, and this includes full house wiring and a $4,000 electricity credit via the JPS prepaid platform, covering the first six months of connection," Vaz said.

"The programme is about more than just electrification," Vaz stressed. "It is about improving the quality of life for residents, supporting regulated access to electricity, and working in tandem with the JPS to ensure safe implementation."