KINGSTON, Jamaica—Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz says the government is in discussion with the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to see how best it can assist the company in raising funds for restoration work following the impact of Hurricane Melissa on its electricity grid.

“The Government of Jamaica is very well aware of the need to restore electricity across all parishes in the shortest possible time. That is a number one priority for me as Minister and for the Andrew Holness-led administration. The Government is in discussions with the JPS in relation to how we can assist and work out a formula which will allow them to be able to raise the funds that they require in order to bring the grid back up,” Vaz confirmed on Thursday.

His comments follow reports that JPS has asked the Government to extend its current licence to allow the company to secure financing for restoration works.

JPS’s current licence expires in July 2027.

The energy minister said the discussions are in the early stages and that he will provide an update to Parliament on Tuesday.