DARLISTON in Westmoreland, received a significant lifeline on Sunday with the official commissioning of a 500-kilowatt emergency mobile power-generation unit, nearly three months after Hurricane Melissa tore through western Jamaica.

The temporary solution was set up at Darliston Primary School by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and the Government.

It will restore some semblance of normalcy to Darliston and surrounding areas that have been without power since the Category 5 storm struck on October 28 last year.

Addressing the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Energy Daryl Vaz praised JPS for meeting its commitment to have the unit installed.

“I’m so happy that, once again, JPS lived up to their commitment. In fact, every commitment that JPS has given me they have delivered, and we want to say to all the hard-working members of the JPS and the linesmen how appreciative we are,” said Vaz.

He noted that in December about 18 per cent of JPS customers in Westmoreland had their electricity restored but this has now moved beyond 60 per cent.

According to Vaz, nationally, electricity restoration will reach 96 per cent by the end of January, with efforts continuing to reach full coverage by the end of February.

“Until we have reached 100 per cent, where nobody is without light, then we have not completed the job,” added Vaz.

The emergency power unit at Darliston is supplying electricity to key public and social facilities in a bid to restart economic and community life in the area.

Among the locations now powered are the health centre, police station, tax office, Maud McLeod High School, Darliston town square, and nearby communities.

President and chief executive officer of JPS Hugh Grant said the company recognised that communities could not simply wait while rebuilding took place.

He said this prompted JPS to implement temporary solutions for the first time in Jamaica.

“In Bethel Town, in Westmoreland, I’m committing to you that by the end of the first week in February we will be deploying another emergency mobile power-generation unit that will provide power to approximately 600 customers,” said Grant.

He told the ceremony that in the western region, more than 95 per cent of customers in Trelawny and Hanover now have electricity, more that 90 per cent in St James, and more than 60 per cent in both Westmoreland and St Elizabeth.

Grant reiterated that the difficult final phase of restoration involves substantially more work to reach the few remaining customers but assured the public that JPS teams continue to work around the clock and will not become complacent despite the progress made.

For Darliston resident Josette Thompson the return of electricity has brought much-needed relief.

Thompson expressed gratitude for the initiative as she said the absence of electricity had caused stress and fear, particularly among children.

She welcomed the renewed sense of normalcy in the community and hoped that all remaining communities would soon be reconnected.

— JIS