St Elizabeth residents protest over lack of electricity
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica— Scores of commuters including patrons for the Appleton Estate rum tour were forced to use alternative routes as residents blocked a section of the Maggotty main road in northern St Elizabeth over lack of electricity in the area on Friday.
The residents downed trees and used debris to block the roadway early Friday morning, as they urged the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) company to restore power to their homes, a month after the passage of Hurricane Beryl.
This latest protest follows weeks of demonstrations across the country, with residents demanding answers from the utility company as to when power will be restored in their communities.
On Wednesday the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) rejected claims that it fell down on the job in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl and allowed utility companies, particularly JPS, to shaft Jamaican consumers.
— Kasey Williams
