NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has indicated that changes might be necessary to the legislation under which the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) operates.

Holness was reacting to director of Charela Inn Hotel in Negril, Sophia Grizzle Roumel, who suggested that an amendment be done to the JPS Act that would make it illegal to plant, or have a tree growing, under power lines.

“A lot of the lines that have gone down have gone down because trees are falling on them, because trees are growing too close. You go to all the foreign countries, there is nothing growing beneath their main transition line. It’s a crime, right?

“In Jamaica, we have trees all over the place. I know we need more trees, I’m an environmentalist, but let’s be sensible. We need to get better and cleaner electricity which costs all industries a whole heap of money every year because we’re getting poor quality electricity,” argued Grizzle Roumel during a meeting at the James Hunter Event Centre in Negril last Friday.

In response Holness referenced a report from JPS following Hurricane Beryl and argued that, while the company did fairly well with the maintenance of its main transmission lines, trees had a severe impact on its secondary distribution lines.

“As you rightfully say, we have to do more maintenance. I tend to agree with you that we may have to review the Act to have stronger penalties but even more enforcement at the local governance level about removing and ensuring that trees are not growing close to power lines,” said Holness.

Grizzle Roumel also suggested that the Government sell its shares in the JPS to Jamaicans.

Marubeni Corporation of Japan and East-West Power (EWP) of South Korea jointly own 80 per cent of the shares in JPS. The remaining 20 per cent of shares are owned by the Government of Jamaica and a small group of minority shareholders.

The outspoken hotelier also pointed to the present restoration of electricity supply in Negril as she made a comparison between the recent Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.

“I remember in Gilbert it took three months to put back electricity in Negril,” said Grizzle Roumel.

“We [Jamaica] got the linemen who came in from England. At that time, the Government owned JPS. Now, I feel several things need to happen because I’m concerned with global warming that one day we will have another Gilbert and can we afford, as a tourism destination, to go without anything for three months? We survived COVID, but can we survive three, [or] six months without any electricity? That is my question,” said Grizzle Roumel.

“I heard Minister Vaz saying that he was concerned about bringing in foreign help because of what it would do and what the Government might need or might not be liable for. So, my concern is, if JPS is still a foreign-owned company and we’re not able to get assurance so easily, what will happen to us?” added Grizzle Roumel.

While Holness did not address the issue of shares, he did agree that there are lessons to be learnt.

However, he argued that the electricity infrastructure stood up well and the JPS should be given credit for its speedy return of service even though areas such as St Elizabeth and Clarendon are outstanding.

“As I travelled around, I don’t know if that [restoration date set by the JPS] can be met, but hopefully, given a few more days, it may be able to return to the entire island,” stated Holness.

The meeting last Friday formed part of a post-event assessment tour of the Negril Destination Area following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

It was planned to provide an opportunity for open dialogue on the rebuilding and strengthening of the Negril Destination Area.