标签： Jamaica

Two weeks after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has successfully restored electricity to 64% of its customers, according to JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant. Speaking at a government-organized press briefing on Tuesday, Grant described the progress as a “solid achievement” given the extensive damage caused by the storm. Over 300,000 customers have been reconnected since the hurricane left large parts of the island without power. Grant emphasized that the on-ground devastation was far more severe than aerial assessments suggested, particularly in the western region, which requires extensive rebuilding rather than simple repairs. To accelerate restoration, JPS has deployed over 200 additional overseas line workers and is bringing in specialized equipment, including bucket trucks and hole-digging vehicles. The company has prioritized restoring critical services such as hospitals, water pumps, and economic hubs. Notable successes include the restoration of power to Cornwall Regional Hospital, St Ann’s Bay Hospital, Ocho Rios Port, Dunn’s River Falls, and Sangster International Airport. Grant also highlighted creative solutions, such as rerouting power from Manchester to supply St Elizabeth. Despite challenges, JPS remains committed to transparency and aims to provide detailed restoration timelines for all affected areas by the end of the week.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned reggae artist Buju Banton has raised concerns over the theft of containers filled with relief supplies intended for victims of Hurricane Melissa at the port. In a recent Instagram post, Banton expressed his frustration, stating, ‘The things are being stolen at the very port. Look at this. Why. Why. Why.’ His message was accompanied by a photo of a half-filled barrel, illustrating the extent of the issue. Other social media users have echoed similar complaints, reporting that their barrels and containers have either gone missing or arrived partially empty. The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) had introduced the Contactless Clearance Project in 2023 to combat theft and enhance the handling of goods. This initiative mandates that customs officers wear body cameras while processing packages. Project Manager Kingsley Henry explained, ‘We are changing the process. Your shipping agent submits the documentation to Customs for duty assessment, and once you pay the customs charges, your cargo can be inspected. You can track your shipment using our website or mobile app.’ Despite these measures, attempts to obtain a comment from the JCA regarding the recent thefts were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, farmers in Portland, Jamaica, are counting their blessings despite significant agricultural losses. While the storm wreaked havoc on their crops, many are relieved that the damage was not more severe. Among those affected are Dennis and Oral Brown, a father-and-son farming duo from Orange Bay, who have been working tirelessly to salvage what remains of their harvest. Their farm, which primarily grows coconuts, plantains, jackfruit, and avocados, suffered extensive damage, with many trees uprooted and produce spoiled. The Browns managed to gather approximately 500 coconuts, falling short of their 1,000-coconut target, and are now pricing them at $10,000 per 100 units. Plantains are being sold at $800 per dozen. Despite the financial setback, Dennis expressed gratitude for their safety, stating, ‘We still giving thanks for life.’ Meanwhile, Prince Dias, a veteran fruit vendor operating on the border of Portland and St Mary, shared similar challenges. His banana and plantain crops were completely destroyed, leaving him without produce to sell. Dias, who has been in the business for 15 years, estimates it will take up to a year to recover fully. Both the Browns and Dias are focusing on alternative sources of income, such as raising livestock, and remain hopeful for the future. While the road to recovery will be arduous, the resilience and gratitude of these farmers shine through in the face of adversity.

Jamaica is grappling with a severe garbage collection crisis in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) struggles to address the overwhelming backlog. NSWMA Executive Director Audley Gordon, in an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, revealed that the agency is facing its most significant challenge since its inception in 2002. Despite relentless efforts, residents are urged to brace for further delays in waste collection services over the coming weeks.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on western Jamaica, the Chinese business community has spearheaded a massive relief effort, mobilizing over $100 million in emergency supplies. The Category 5 storm, which struck on October 28, left widespread devastation, particularly in the southern regions of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St James. Leading the charge, LCH Developments, in collaboration with its construction partner Brothers Concepts & Solutions Limited, swiftly deployed heavy machinery to clear blocked roads, ensuring critical access for aid distribution.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) in Jamaica has issued a public warning regarding the unauthorized and fraudulent use of video images featuring Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. The images have been exploited by a TikTok account under the handle @ramondlewis0, which falsely advertises overseas employment opportunities. The ministry has confirmed that this account is using repurposed visuals of the minister to deceive and mislead individuals seeking employment abroad.

The Maroon settlement of Accompong in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, has been left in ruins following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm. Described as ‘wicked’ by residents, the hurricane obliterated nearly every farm and the majority of homes, leaving the community in dire need of assistance. Farmers like Andrew Rowe and Neville White recounted the devastation, with Rowe stating, ‘I lost my housetop, my farm with ginger, dasheen, yam, and all those things. The whole pepper field was wiped off the map.’ White added, ‘All ginger, plantain, banana, dasheen mash up.’ The storm’s ferocity was unparalleled, with Errol Williams comparing it unfavorably to Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which had previously caused widespread damage across Jamaica. Williams described the terrifying experience of being inside his home as the hurricane tore through, with winds so strong they sounded like a crying baby. The aftermath has been equally challenging, with residents now battling an influx of mosquitoes, flies, bees, and unknown insects. The community is urgently calling for substantial aid to rebuild their homes and restore their farms, as they struggle to recover from the unprecedented destruction.