MP pleads with JPS to restore electricity in North East St Elizabeth
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica— Member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth Delroy Slowley is calling on the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) for immediate intervention as some residents continue to suffer from a lack of electricity and water following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.
Slowley says he is specifically calling for the replacement of a light pole in the Northhampton area of his constituency, which was dislocated by the category 4 storm.
The MP says this would be a first step in bringing relief to residents of the constituency.
According to Slowley, restoration of the Northampton light pole would be a significant step in bringing water to sections of his constituency, as the National Water Commission depends on JPS to energise its pumps.
The MP says he has been privately lobbying for intervention from the JPS over the past few weeks. Slowley added that his constituents are facing major challenges.
“I am calling on the Jamaica Public Service. Please, I’m begging you. There’s one pole that’s damaged along the Northampton corridor. I need this pole to be replaced. Now, once this pole is installed, the line can be energised. And this area has two NWC pumps in it that cannot be up and running because it is dependent on the JPS to have power to be able for it to be up and running,” Slowley said.
“Now, there are many areas that need attention and, in fact, many areas that have minimal damage. And we are really concerned. But I’m asking at this particular time for this one pole to be replaced; to be put in so that the lines can be energised, that these two wells can be up and running, [and] that the people can be served,” he urged.
Observer Online understands that representatives of JPS have moved to respond to Slowley’s plea and indicated that they have taken steps to address issues facing residents of Southampton in North East St Elizabeth.
The light and power company reportedly has plans to begin work in the Northampton area of the constituency overnight into Friday.
The repair work reportedly involves several light poles which were downed by Hurricane Beryl.
