97 per cent of Jamaica Public Service JPS customers islandwide are to receive power fully by Saturday July 13.

Customers in St. Elizabeth are excluded from this projection.

This as up to yesterday, the JPS had not restored power to any part of the parish due to the severity of damage it sustained during Hurricane Beryl’s passage last week.

During a press briefing yesterday, the JPS said efforts were underway to restore power to the Black River Hospital.

Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said it is important that power be restored to St. Elizabeth.

He noted that several parishes including, St. Ann, St. James, Trelawny and St. Mary will be near full restoration before Saturday.

Mr. Vaz said areas which are posing a greater challenge should be restored gradually by August 5, the latest.

He said the JPS has requested until Friday to carry out assessments in St. Elizabeth to determine if external assistance is required to get the job done more quickly.

The Minister said the Government has put arrangements in place, should the JPS indicate a need for such assistance.