Police to escort fuel tankers into hard-hit areas says Vaz

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been tasked with escorting fuel tankers into the most severely affected parishes. This critical measure aims to facilitate the recovery of communities by ensuring uninterrupted fuel distribution. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz announced during a media briefing that Petrojam, the state-owned oil refinery, commenced loading tankers for islandwide delivery at 6:00 AM on Friday. Vaz emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that fuel supplies in some areas, particularly in the western part of the island, are critically low or depleted. To address this, he convened a meeting with marketing companies and fuel suppliers at 11:30 AM on Friday to coordinate efforts through the National Works Agency and the police. The focus is on delivering fuel, including alternative sources and LPG, to sustain operations and support affected residents. Vaz expressed optimism that, with roads being cleared or partially cleared, fuel deliveries could be expedited with police escorts to ensure timely access.