Vaz to meet with NWC, JPS boards as power and water restoration pains continue post-hurricane
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
Minister of Energy Daryl Vaz says he is set to meet with the board of directors and shareholders of the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to ensure they understand the reality facing customers still without electricity and water.
This meeting comes at a time when the country is now in the third week post-Hurricane Beryl and several communities are without electricity.
“There are still several NWC pumps that are out after three weeks and several NIC (National Irrigation Commission) pumps that supply water to farmers across the length and breadth of Jamaica. The farmers of Jamaica cannot get back to earn a livelihood if they are unable to replant or continue to water whatever is left of their produce,” Vaz said.
Vaz while commending the JPS on the proposed 20 per cent discount off customer bills up to 150 kWh of electricity or less for July, said there needs to be further examination of the benefit that will come to all Jamaicans.
“There is no JPS customer that is not either directly or indirectly impacted by the hurricane and, therefore, we have to look at it in a holistic, wholesome way to make sure that all customers have redress of some kind. I noted that they have given a new deadline of August 15 for payment of bills. I am not sure myself that this will be sufficient time for people to be able to recover and to be able to afford to pay a light bill as a priority as against dealing with what they need to in terms of putting back on their roof or getting their livelihood to earn a living,” the minister said.
He was speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (July 24).
Vaz also expressed concern with the timeline being provided by the power company and the disparity in information regarding restoration for sections of the island still without electricity.
“I will be having a meeting with the board, the management, and the shareholders so I can assure myself that all of JPS’s hierarchy is aware of the extent of the situation and that we need resolution now,” Vaz said.
- READ: Vaz chides JPS for inaccurate power restoration data, missed deadlines
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