KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A number of Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) international locations have indicated a willingness to help Jamaica in restoring electrical energy to areas badly affected by the passage of Hurricane Beryl earlier this month, Vitality Minister Daryl Vaz mentioned Wednesday.
“I had a dialogue on Monday morning…with the JPS (Jamaica Public Service) administration group the place I insisted that the time has come for exterior help primarily based on the struggling of the Jamaican folks, primarily based on the gaps that exist within the provide throughout each parish,” Vaz advised the weekly Cupboard put up press convention.
He mentioned, apart from the more difficult hit areas, “The very fact is at this time could be three weeks since Beryl handed, and we nonetheless have a big variety of individuals with out electrical energy and, in fact, some with out mild.
Vaz mentioned that the exterior native contractors from the bauxite trade have been assigned to Hanover and St. Elizabeth. The Caribbean Electrical Utility Providers Company (CARILEC) has requested that assist.
“I can verify that Belize and Suriname have agreed to ship individuals and likewise Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana,” Vaz mentioned, including that he held discussions on Wednesday with the International Commerce and International Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, “for which I requested her to please attain out to all of our brother and sister international locations to see what help may be given within the shortest potential time. Watch video
“The time has come for exterior help, so no matter is excellent may be carried out within the shortest potential time,” he mentioned.
The Vitality Minister mentioned that excluding St Elizabeth, 55,000 prospects had been with out electrical energy as much as Sunday. This was lower to 35,960 by Monday and is anticipated to additional scale back to 27,455 by Friday.
Earlier, Vaz advised reporters that the JPS had accomplished its evaluation of the harm and that 94 transmissions had been broken. He mentioned 2,602 mild poles had been broken, 4 287 conductors had been broken, and 137 transformers had been broken.
As well as, he mentioned JPS had reported 2 185 different transmission and distribution gear broken.
“So the JPS suffered vital infrastructure harm with the passing of Beryl, all island. The excellent news is, or the query that might come after is whether or not they can afford to repair it, and the reply is sure”.
Vaz mentioned that primarily based on earlier hurricane experiences and the difficulties of securing insurance coverage for JPS belongings, the OUR (Workplace of Utilities Regulation) had authorised a change within the electrical energy charges that go to the Electrical energy Catastrophe Fund, which can be utilized instantly to fund restoration after a catastrophe equivalent to Hurricane Beryl.
He mentioned the fund at the moment has an amassed quantity of US$50 million and that JPS can be allowed to attract down on the fund for its restoration.
“The OUR had authorised a drawdown of 5 million US {dollars} earlier than the hurricane to assist fund the preparations for the hurricane season,” he advised reporters.
Obtain video – Daryl Vaz on electricity situation in Jamaica and help from CARICOM
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