Hotelier praises JPS as Treasure Beach regains electricity

WESTERN BUREAU

Treasure Beach hotelier Jason Henzell has welcomed the deployment of the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPS) Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit, describing the response as timely, coordinated and deeply reassuring for hurricane-affected communities in St Elizabeth.

Black River, the parish capital, began receiving electricity along its main lines on Christmas morning. The Black River Hospital now has power, making it the last major hospital to be reconnected since Hurricane Melissa struck the island in October.

“I am elated by the response of Jamaica Public Service and the coordination with Minister Daryl Vaz and the other entities. We are extremely grateful as Treasure Beach stakeholders,” Henzell told The Gleaner following the official launch of the unit at Jack Sprat Lawn on Wednesday.

The mobile unit is supplying electricity to just under 1,000 homes in Treasure Beach, Great Bay, Old Fort, Sandy Bank, Frenchman’s Bay, Calabash Bay, Billy’s Bay and Forte Charles. The temporary installation forms part of JPS’s alternative restoration strategy, as crews rebuild transmission infrastructure severely damaged by the Category 5 storm.

President and CEO of JPS Hugh Grant said the mobile unit represents a practical response to the scale of destruction caused by the storm.

“Only a few weeks ago, I did a walk-through, and today we are here with a solution deployed to power just under 1,000 homes in the Treasure Beach area,” Grant said at the launch on Christmas Eve.

He explained that while earlier hurricane-hardening efforts had protected some distribution lines, the main transmission system supplying the area suffered significant damage during Hurricane Melissa.

“After the hurricane, it was clear that rebuilding permanent infrastructure would take some time. So we had to find creative ways to bring power to the people in the shortest possible time,” Grant said.

Grant noted that strong collaboration with the government has helped to accelerate restoration across the parish, particularly to critical facilities and major population centres.

“Because of the partnerships, the innovation and being mindful of the devastation and the urgent need for power, we have been able to streamline our work and come up with creative solutions,” he said.

Henzell praised Grant’s detailed briefing, saying it helped residents understand the complexity of the recovery effort.

“The way the CEO really walked us through the recovery connects with people who live and understand the realities of life and the fact that the last mile is the longest mile,” Henzell said.

“We may be between 88 and over 90 per cent restored, but the last 10 per cent is going to be the hardest. I really appreciate the clarity, the transparency and the honesty.”

He also welcomed what he described as a noticeable improvement in coordination between the ministry and JPS after earlier public tension.

“People felt that tension before, but it is a beautiful thing to see that it is much more coordinated now. There is a more cohesive effort, and it is working very well,” Henzell said.

Hurricane Melissa left thousands of residents across St Elizabeth without electricity, damaged homes, roads and public infrastructure, and disrupted livelihoods, particularly in coastal and farming communities. JPS officials said the Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit is a temporary but vital bridge as permanent repairs to the parish’s transmission network continue.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com