MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon is hoping the St James Municipal Corporation, that he leads, will soon be able to access equipment needed to ensure that the iconic Sam Sharpe Square is no longer shrouded in shadows at nights.

The equipment, now in high demand in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, is needed to reach some of the 10 lights that have not worked for months.

“We have some mobilisation issues with restoring the lights but we have all the material necessary and as soon as we have overcome the mobilisation challenges, the lights will be on,” Vernon assured the Jamaica Observer.

“The priority shifted in light of Beryl because even the bucket trucks that normally we would have access to, those are being contracted by the JPS [Jamaica Public Service Company]. The priority is being placed on the restoration of light on the various communities,” he continued.

When it is working, illumination from the bank of lights in Sam Sharpe Square bathes the fountain, Market Street and the entrance to the Civic Centre. Four of the lights which contain about four bulbs each, are on 50-foot-high stanchions.

The lights have not worked at various times over the years. The mayor explained that the illegal siphoning of power from the public supply is at the root of the problem.

“The persons who operate in the square tampered with the electrical system and caused the outage of the lights,” he told the Observer.

According to Vernon, who was unable to say how much the repairs have cost over the years, these fixes are categorised as regular maintenance.

Billboards and traffic lights now offer the only Illumination and the mayor is appealing to those who are stealing electricity to desist. Vernon also stressed the need for residents of the parish — and not just locally elected representatives — to prevent damage that will impact the level of service provided for the benefit of all.

“They are fully responsible for the protection of the assets; as I am. When they see individuals doing things that they shouldn’t be doing, they need to talk,” he urged.

Vendors ply their wares in the square at night, providing quick meals, snacks and household products to people who work late shifts in the tourism and business process outsourcing sectors. Vernon said he is fully aware of the importance of ensuring that the area is well lit and secure.

“It is important that we fix it swiftly but we are having the challenges. We trying to find a workaround, that’s what we are doing,” he said.

While the mayor said thought has been given to going solar at some point, he said the focus is now on repairing the lights powered by electricity.

“We don’t have any considerations of replacing them just yet, but we are looking at possibilities,” he said.