ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — For the second consecutive day, residents of St Elizabeth have mounted roadblocks, demanding attention from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) company to restore electricity to their communities.

On Thursday, placard-bearing residents of Parrottee in southwest St Elizabeth used debris to block the main road leading to their community, voicing their frustration.

“We want light,” the residents chanted.

Parrottee, a fishing village near Black River, has been without electricity for five weeks, severely affecting local fisherfolk.

“The whole of the fish a spoil. They can’t get any light. The Delco (generator) cannot carry (power) the amount of fridge,” she said.

Another resident highlighted how the electricity outage has also impacted the water supply.

“We are paying customers of JPS, $25,000 (bill) after hurricane weh it fah? A thief me fi go thief? Me pickney fi bury me cyaa get light. We cyaa get water. Me want water fi wash me [body]…” she said.

On Wednesday, residents blocked the Holland Bamboo main road and the Santa Cruz to Malvern main road due to ongoing electricity issues.

Last week, the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) rejected claims that it failed in its duties after Hurricane Beryl, allowing utility companies, particularly JPS, to take advantage of Jamaican consumers.

READ: OUR Fires Back

— Kasey Williams