The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has issued a directive to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to enforce strict compliance with its latest schedule for returning electricity supply to customers affected by Hurricane Beryl.

According to the OUR, given that the company has missed previously established timelines, the directive, which took effect on Wednesday July 31, requires JPS to comply with the latest restoration date it has given. 

Failure to comply with this directive within the time specified will render JPS liable to enforcement action under the Office of Utilities Regulation Act.

The OUR has directed that JPS repairs its damaged network infrastructure due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl in accordance with its restoration schedule and achieve 100% restoration of electricity to consumers subject to the inaccessibility issues faced in some areas as exceptions , by August 12.

In commenting on the OUR’s latest action, Director General, Ansord Hewitt said the regulator has conveyed to JPS in all engagements that it expects that it will exercise all diligence to expedite restoration.

At the last meeting with JPS on Monday, it’s reported that JPS assured that all service would be fully restored by August 12 in the most critically damaged areas.

The OUR says it’s satisfied that at this point, enough time has elapsed for JPS to have fully grasped the extent and nature of the damage and disruption to its network, the available resources and the practicable timeline for restoration.

As such it says it expects that these are achievable targets.

Mr. Hewitt notes that the OUR is aware that these dates are very little comfort to customers who have been without service since July 3.

He says the agency has urged the light and power company to take every possible step, including the engagement of additional resources, to better these timelines.