The Government of Jamaica continues to deliver decisive results in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, with more than 93 per cent of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers restored as of January 15, 2026, marking one of the fastest electricity restoration efforts in the nation’s history.

 Daryl Vaz, Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications,  underscored this achievement during a tour of western Jamaica communities as a part of the  Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the JPS Montego Bay Command Centre on Thursday, January 15, where he reviewed final mile restoration activities and commended the coordinated national response driving daily progress.

The rapid recovery has been made possible through strong Government leadership, strategic financial support to JPS, and an unprecedented partnership involving local JPS workers, local contractors, foreign line crews, and multiple state agencies. The establishment of dedicated Command Centres in Montego Bay and Westmoreland has further accelerated restoration by improving coordination, logistics and stakeholder engagement.

“This recovery is unprecedented. We are building back better and more resilient through historic investment, and Jamaicans can be confident that this Government is delivering. JPS is meeting its commitment to the Government, and we are meeting our commitment to the people. We are on track, not missing deadlines, and restoring light and water at an unprecedented pace,” Minister Vaz said.

During his visit to Shettlewood and Chester Castle, Minister Vaz observed major infrastructure rebuilding works, including the installation of approximately three miles of new utility poles, representing a complete reconstruction in these severely impacted areas. By Sunday, January 18, between 300 and 400 customers in these communities are expected to have electricity restored, bringing with it the return of water services through reactivated pumping systems.

As promised by JPS and the Government, the Roaring River water pump was successfully restored on January 15, returning water supply to hundreds of residents. In total, more than 400 customers across multiple communities are now regaining access to both electricity and water. Restoration works are also progressing steadily in the Mountain Spring to Amity areas of Trelawny and Hanover, as crews continue final mile efforts across the western region.

In Catherine Hall, 600 of 800 homes have already been rewired, with the remaining 200 addressing specific technical challenges and expected to be brought on stream shortly with JSIF support. In West Green, 100 of 400 homes have been rewired and reconnected, with 300 homes targeted for completion by the end of February, at a cost of J$135 million. Combined, nearly J$400 million has been invested in the two worst-affected communities funded through the Government’s J$1 billion Energy Poverty Reduction Programme, with resources deliberately reallocated from other parishes to support the areas most impacted by the hurricane.

The Minister confirmed that the Government remains on track to achieve near-total restoration by the end of January to early February, with Darlingston expected to be restored by this weekend, and emphasised that progress is being made every day.