‘Bear with us’
MoBay mayor asks residents for further patience with power restoration
Published:Saturday | December 6, 2025 | 12:06 AMChristopher Thomas/ Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), is urging residents to remain patient as the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) works to restore electricity across the parish.
Vernon made the appeal on Wednesday during a media interview following the StJMC’s latest Emergency Operations Centre meeting, where stakeholders gave updates on restoration efforts after Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28.
“Based on the information that I have ascertained, it is quite evident that many communities will receive electricity within two to three weeks, but a significant portion of them won’t receive electricity until January 2026. The JPS team is being supported by a raft of operators coming in from overseas to provide assistance, and it is necessary to look at the extent of the damage that JPS has experienced, and to place those persons who are coming in as support, because they won’t be here forever,” Vernon said.
“During that period, I continue to ask our constituents across St James to bear with us and with the JPS as they restore electricity to your communities. It is a tough ask, because it has been lengthy and frustrating for many, but rest assured that the extent of the damage experienced is not a normal one, and the team is doing as best as possible to ensure that electricity is restored to each and every customer that they have,” he added.
St James was among the parishes in western Jamaica hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm and the most devastating in Jamaica’s history.
Communities including Adelphi, Content, Somerton, Dumfries, Irwindale, Orange and Bickersteth remain without electricity or running water more than a month later. To date, 139 people are reported as occupying shelters approved by the StJMC.
Vernon also noted that restoring St James’ water supply depends on JPS returning power to the parish’s pump houses.
“Much of what the NWC needs is to get the energy in their section so that they can supply water, and JPS is committed to ensuring that the pump houses are restored with power so they can supply water to the needy areas. I got a call this morning (Wednesday) from Irwindale, Orange, along the entire Sign to Irwin block, that they need electricity and water, and much work needs to be done along the Sign to Irwin main road to ensure that power can reach to the service station there for the NWC,” Vernon said.
The provision of water is particularly critical, given the leptospirosis outbreak in Jamaica following the hurricane. The Ministry of Health has reported 71 suspected cases, 26 confirmed cases, and seven deaths. St James has recorded 15 cases of the bacterial disease, which is often spread through contact with water contaminated by animal urine.