JPS crews continue intensive power restoration across Western Jamaica with additional specialized vehicles

Jamaica Public Service (JPS) crews continue intensive power restoration work across western Jamaica, with roughly 160 specialized vehicles brought into the island since the unprecedented hit of Hurricane Melissa.

On Sunday, 72 specialized vehicles, including bucket trucks, diggers, pole trailers and pick-ups were offloaded at Freeport, Montego Bay, St. James to support the recently arrived Holland Power Services crews.

Additional contracting firms, including Tempest and Greystone were also deployed with government support to bolster crews on the ground and expedite restoration efforts.

The newly deployed assets are being assigned primarily to Westmoreland and other parts of western Jamaica, where the electricity network suffered the most severe damage and restoration work remains at its peak following the disaster.

In a statement, Manager for Business Continuity, Resiliency and Contract Management, Detommie Fuller, said the additional fleet will help ensure linesmen are fully equipped as they work with local and international crews to restore power to the remaining 12% of JPS customers.

Meantime, in a post to his Instagram page, Energy Minister Daryl Vaz highlighted the scale of the restoration efforts, noting that accelerated work continues through the holidays to reconnect customers.

He also welcomed the arrival of the first of two barges carrying additional equipment, including 104 specialized vehicles, to support the 300 contracted JPS linesmen currently working alongside local and international crews.