FALMOUTH, Trelawny — The Universal Service Fund (USF) has so far committed approximately 80 per cent of the $800 million allocated by the Government in November to restore free Wi-Fi sites in communities across Jamaica that were damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa. To date, nearly 60 per cent of these facilities have been restored.

USF Chief Executive Officer Charlton McFarlane provided the update during an interview with the Jamaica Observer last Friday, shortly after handing over three laptop computers, 12 desktop computers with monitors, and two printers — valued at $4.3 million — to the Trelawny Municipal Corporation in Falmouth.

“So far, we have committed over 80 per cent of that in four short months. I believe that, in itself, is an achievement because we still have to ensure that we do the procurement the right way,” McFarlane said.

He noted that for the most part, the focus has been on the seven western parishes — Trelawny, St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St Ann, and St Mary — that sustained the most devastation during the Category 5 weather system.

During the handover ceremony the CEO explained that the restoration effort is being carried out strategically to embed greater resilience. Two key features of the restored sites — 17 of which have already been restored in Trelawny — are the introduction of satellite redundancy and the integration of solar power.

“We’re not just restoring the way they were because we have to build back better, stronger and more resilient. So what are we doing? We have pivoted from relying only on fibre, because we know fibre base is susceptible to the elements. We have included in our Wi-Fi solution satellite technology — because [whether it is a] storm, hurricane, whatever it is, the sites will forever remain.

“In addition to pivoting to satellite technology, we are also including solar power redundancy. What does that mean? It means that if JPS [Jamaica Public Service]…light gone, have no fear, you can go to one of our Wi-Fi sites and call JPS — because solar is powering our Wi-Fi site — and you can call JPS and tell them, turn on back your light,” McFarlane said.

Meanwhile, mayor of Falmouth and chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, Councillor C Junior Gager said most of the devices at the administrative offices of the municipality were destroyed. The administrative offices were housed at the historic Falmouth Courthouse building, which took a battering from the storm.

The operations of the municipality have now been relocated from the over-century-old courthouse structure to makeshift containerised buildings on the premises on which the Roads and Works Department is located.

Gager expressed his deep gratitude to the USF for gifting the corporation with the devices, which he noted will improve the services offered to residents.

“We have suffered a lot of damage here and, the truth be told, at this time we couldn’t afford this $4.3 million. We have to be cutting and cutting [our] spend but you came on board with such a generous gift. I want to thank you, I want to thank the Government. I believe we are moving in the right direction,” an elated Gager said.

“You are strengthening us to serve people, you’re strengthening us when persons come to the Roads and Works Department, the Poor Relief Department, the Mayor’s Office, the accounts section, things can flow easily,” he added.

McFarlane noted that the USF “is building back stronger, and this is just one of the partnerships that we believe is in keeping with us building back stronger”.

“I hope today that the devices that you get will serve to enhance your work, and by enhancing your work it will improve your ability to provide the services to the people because, at the end of the day, that is what it boils down to. So again, I want to thank you, and we look forward to more partnerships in the future,” McFarlane said.

GAGER…we have suffered a lot of damage here and, truth be told, at this time we couldn’t afford this $4.3 million

MCFARLANE…by enhancing your work it will improve your ability to provide the services to the people because that is what it boils down to