Broadcast journalist Cecil Toms uses a lamp during a power outage at yesterday's press conference at the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Belmont Road, New Kingston, headquarters. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
DESPITE RECENT reports by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) that those pesky power outages would have been lessened significantly, residents continue to cry foul, or rather dark.
In response to a series of power outages early last month, Tony Ray, external affairs director at the JPS, told The Gleaner it was business as usual for the power company, as the glitches that caused the blackouts had been rectified.
Mr. Ray explained that the power outages were caused by problems that plagued the JPS as well as the independent power producers (IPP) that supply the light and power company.
PERSISTENT POWER OUTAGES
However, residents say, in fact, all is not well. The Gleaner has received reports of persistent power outages occurring in Discovery Bay in St. Ann, Hellshire and Spanish Town in St. Catherine, Jacks Hill in St. Andrew and parts of St. Elizabeth.
Residents in several communities say the power outages occur at all hours of the night and day and vary in duration. One resident of Jacks Hill said he had no electricity for the entire weekend.
Meanwhile, JPS said load- shedding exercises have been taking place, but were unable to comment on the extent of the operations. Ruthelyn Johnson, corporate communication officer, said she was awaiting reports from the different power plants, before she would be able to comment on the cause or causes of this recent spate of power cuts.
She, however, said the JPS would continue to inform residents of load-shedding exercises on a timely basis.
In the meantime, David Geddes, director of public and consumer affairs at the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), said his agency has been informed of the JPS's shortfall in generating capacity.
Mr. Geddes said the OUR would be monitoring the situation and expected to be kept abreast of the power company's efforts to restore normalcy.
