KINGSTON, Jamaica – Declaring that he has lost confidence in the ability of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) to fully restore electricity three weeks after Hurricane Beryl knocked out sections of the electricity grid on July 3, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz says he is looking outside for additional help.

Specifically, Vaz said he has been in contact with the USAID for support in having electricity fully restored.

He was speaking Tuesday in the House of Representatives where he expressed his dissatisfaction at the thousands of JPS customers who remain in the dark.

“I make no apologies in stating in this House that I have very little confidence in the capacity of the JPS to effect full restoration in the timelines needed. While my powers as Minister may be limited with respect to this private company and the deployment of their teams, this government will do everything legally possible to ensure that we reinforce the ability of the JPS to have power restored across the island as soon as possible,” Vaz remarked.

He pointed to the shifting timelines being given by the JPS for full restoration and noted that it is not only affecting the ability of citizens to access power but also the ability of the National Water Commission to fully service its customers.

“If water is life, then the JPS must recognise the current position as life-threatening. This is not just figurative but literal. Several persons are subject to medical conditions that require electricity whether it be for refrigeration or energy purposes,” he said.

“This cannot continue and with the help of our regional partners now on the island, I urge the utility provider to pull out all stops to ensure they meet their own deadlines and the expectations of the Jamaican people,” he added.

Vaz also lambasted the JPS for issuing estimated bills to customers and for signalling that it intends to use force majeure to recoup losses. This is allowed in its licence in the event there is an act of God, such as a hurricane.

The energy minister declared that it was unconscionable and immoral for the company to seek to obtain relief from its obligations under the current licence but is yet to outline any form of restitution or reprieve for its customers who have been without electricity for three weeks.

Vaz, who also has responsibility for telecommunications, noted that both Digicel and FLOW have communicated their own mitigative and restorative measures to the government and their customers.

“We expect that JPS will be moved to do the same,” he said.

He voiced his frustration and that of the Government, in the length of time it is taking JPS to bring all of its customers back on the grid. He told the House that JPS has indicated that 19,000 customers were yet to receive electricity but he questioned the accuracy of those numbers.