Durrant Pate/Contributor

As restoration work continues apace in the parish of St James, one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa on October 28, the local municipal corporation was this week briefed on the activities taking place by the utility companies and the National Works Agency (NWC).

In the case of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), one of its principals, Leroy Reid, is reported that power has been restored to the Cornwall Regional Hospital with other crucial areas now receiving electricity including the NWC’s systems in Catherine Mount, Reading Loading facility, Great River Treatment Plant, the LNG facility in Montego Freeport and sections of the Fairview commercial complex.

He told the St James Municipal Corporation that efforts are being made to power up the Bogue to Queens Drive line in order to get the Sangster International Airport back on the grid, and then power up the Rose Hall sub-station, getting power to the hotel sector. Reid advised the corporation that the efforts of the JPS continue in earnest. The council was also told about restoration work to the telecommunication and restoration to potable water systems.

Wayne Cover of the NWA highlighted the efforts being made to give even lane access to most major routes across St James, pointing out that the Long Hill to Shettlewood Corridor continues to pose a challenge because of the ongoing pipelaying project along that stretch. Cover told the corporation’s meeting that efforts will continue to get all main corridors back to pre-Hurricane Melissa condition.

He said the Springmount breakaway has resulted in no access being available, but there is an alternate route going through Mount Horeb, heading into areas such as Maroon Town. Also impassable is the Montpellier to Cambridge route. The NWA executive reported that efforts will continue to remove fallen trees and other debris from the road network.