Sheffield, Westmoreland – Frustrated residents of Sheffield have taken to the streets since 5 a.m. on Tuesday, blocking major roads in protest against the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) for failing to restore power nearly two weeks after Hurricane Beryl.
Community Outcry
The residents, who have been without electricity since the Category 4 storm passed south of the island on Wednesday, July 3rd, are demanding immediate action from JPS. The main road in Sheffield, which connects communities from Savanna-la-Mar to Negril, was rendered impassable as hotel staff and other commuters were caught in the protest.
Voices of Discontent
“We don’t have enough light,” community resident Sean Wright told Observer Online. “We can’t deal with the mosquitoes or the heat. Why are some people getting their light back and we get nothing?” Wright added that residents would reopen the road only to close it again once police leave.
Ongoing Frustration
Jane Williams, another resident, highlighted the inconsistencies in power restoration. “In some housing schemes, houses are built next to each other and one has electricity and the other doesn’t,” she said. Williams also mentioned that JPS cited a lack of lampposts to replace the broken ones as a reason for the delay.
Protest Continues
Residents have vowed to maintain the roadblocks until power is fully restored to their community, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the services provided by JPS in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Key Points:
- Protest: Sheffield residents block roads demanding power restoration after nearly two weeks without electricity.
- Hurricane Impact: Power outage since Category 4 Hurricane Beryl on July 3rd.
- Community Discontent: Residents voice frustration over inconsistent power restoration.
- JPS Response: Cited lack of lampposts as a reason for delay in restoration.
- Ongoing Action: Residents vow to continue protests until power is restored.
