WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Member of Parliament (MP) for Westmoreland, George Wright, whose constituency was on Wednesday rocked by a protest after prolonged disruptions in the water and electricity supplies, has slammed the utility companies for what he describes as “inadequate service”.

His constituents’ complaints, he said, have left him feeling overwhelmed.

Power was restored to residents of Shoalin in Dalling Street, Westmoreland, by about 3:30 pm but not before angry residents blocked the roads.

READ: JPS team delayed in restoring power due to Dalling Street protest

“These things are basic commodities; persons cannot live without these,” said the MP, who stressed that while he does not condone the staging of roadblocks he has no issue with peaceful protests.

“I’ve been reaching out [to the service providers], but nothing adequate,” he lamented.

Wright, an independent MP, noted that he has been receiving numerous calls from residents in the parish complaining about light and water issues.

“It is overwhelming now; the schools are calling, businesses in the community,” he said.

Protesting residents said they have been without electricity since Sunday and have had no water for about two months. However, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company, Director of Corporate Communications, Winsome Callum, said that at no point did the company receive a report that the entire community was without electricity.

“We got a report on June 8 from a resident indicating that she was without services,” Callum said.

According to Callum, Wednesday morning’s attempt to restore the supply was initially affected by the roadblock, but the JPS team eventually managed to gain access.

In response to meat vendor, Venesha Myrie’s complaint that she has lost $70,000 worth of product, Callum advised her to notify the utility company.

“Claims for damage must be submitted in writing to jpsclaims@jpsco.comwith details of the damage [and] dates of the events,” she explained.

With electricity now restored, residents such as Farnea Lewis are hoping water will soon flow from their taps.

“Wi feel great because this [electricity] is what we wanted, but there is still no water in the pipe,” Lewis said.

Corporate public relations officer for the National Water Commission (NWC) Andrew Canon, told OBSERVER ONLINE that the company is trying to fix the problem.

“The NWC work crews are monitoring the situation in the area and we are working to address the concern,” he said.

He added that the pipelines in the area are old, and the aged infrastructure results in low water pressure issues at times.

“The line air is locked and so we have been doing maintenance work on the lines. Those works are ongoing and we will be doing continuous assessment,” he reassured.

Canon said trucking will be done to legitimate NWC customers once they make contact with the branch in Savanna-la-Mar.

“There is a plan by the NWC to upgrade the infrastructure as part of our Capital Project Initiative. That project improvement will run from Dunbars to Manning’s School,” he added.

He is asking customers to be patient as trucking is a complex undertaking; delivery, he added, should take place shortly after a request is made.