KINGSTON, Jamaica— While the majority of their customers have been brought back online since Hurricane Beryl disrupted their operations on July 3, the island’s telecommunications companies are reporting another challenge; repeated theft and vandalism of their equipment.

This was shared by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Tuesday as he updated the nation on the Government’s recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of the Category 4 hurricane that caused widespread damage across the country.

Holness told the House of Representatives that Digicel has reported that 664 sites, out of a total of 884, are online and population coverage is now at 95 per cent.

However, 140 of the sites are operating on backup generator and need continual refueling.

For its part, Flow has reported that as of July 15, out of a total of 782 sites, 588 are online and population coverage stands at 88 per cent for its mobile network.

For its fixed network, Flow said approximately 193,000 customers were impacted and, as of Monday, 156,000 or 81 per cent have been restored.

“Both operators have reported that vandalism and theft continue to plague recovery efforts. No doubt it is just a small number of individuals whose behaviour is impacting thousands of Jamaicans,” Holness said.

“I am issuing them a warning to cease and desist and I urge persons who have information to report it to the law enforcement authorities,” he added.