Dear Editor,

Like many Jamaicans I am still trying to recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which ravaged the western section of the island.

The storm’s fury was terrifying, but what came after was even worse. Imagine days that turned into weeks without electricity or cell service, leaving many of us stranded in silence, unable to reach loved ones to know if they are safe or even hear what is going on across the rest of Jamaica. At one point, like many others, I had to drive miles to another town or parish just to get a faint cell signal. The roads were pitch black at night, traffic was backed up, and motor vehicle crashes were prevalent. This on top of all the damage already around us.

According to a recent news article, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) reported that about 490,000 customers were left without electricity after the storm, and even though over 300,000 have since been restored, that still leaves thousands of Jamaicans in darkness, literally and economically. What this shows is how deeply dependent our country is on a system that is simply not strong enough. Without electricity everything slows down: Businesses cannot operate, shops cannot keep perishable goods, banks and schools cannot open, and even gas stations and automated teller machines (ATMs) have stopped working. Some manufacturers and supermarkets are unable to restock because their suppliers are still without electricity, likely to this day.

For many Jamaicans the economic ripple effects are not distant or abstract; they’re very much real. People who depend on daily income — vendors, barbers, and small shop owners — lose days, now weeks, of earnings they can’t get back. And it’s not just about business, it’s also about safety and peace of mind. When entire communities go dark for too long, it creates a sense of helplessness, frustration, fear, or, worse, violence. There have been concerns and incidents of looting and sexual assault in some of the areas affected by the storm.

Of course, I recognise and commend the efforts of JPS line workers who have been out day and night trying to restore power in dangerous conditions. Their dedication can’t be denied, and it deserves respect, not criticism. But as a country we must ask ourselves some tough questions: Why are we trapped in this same cycle after every storm? Why is the major power infrastructure that citizens depend on so fragile? Why does a single company hold such immense control over our energy future?

With the pending review of JPS’s licence with the Government, which expires in 2027, Jamaica has a rare opportunity to rethink the structure of its energy sector. This moment shouldn’t pass quietly. The Government must carefully weigh whether renewing the licence under the same monopoly conditions truly serves the people’s best interest or whether opening the door to new providers could finally bring accountability, reliability, and fair competition to the nation’s power grid. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has promised us that the new licence would be in our best interest, so we await that fulfilment.

It is time Jamaica seriously considers opening the energy sector to real competition. Allowing another electricity provider to operate alongside JPS, even if it’s in specific areas/zones or within the renewable energy sector, could really drive innovation, accountability, and, most of all, better service. We need to start investing in stronger, more resilient systems, like underground cables in vulnerable areas, renewable backup sources, and better communication with the public. People deserve to know what’s happening, not be left in silence for days.

Hurricane Melissa shouldn’t be just another storm from which we bounce back. It should be a breaking point — the moment that we as Jamaicans decide that enough is enough. Jamaica cannot keep rebuilding the same way after every disaster. We must build forward — stronger, smarter, and with options that finally put people before power.

Samoya Shand

shandsamoya@gmail.com