Residents of Brae's River, St. Elizabeth protest for electricity and water

By Nakinskie Robinson 

  

Brae's River, St. Elizabeth is the latest addition to the series of communities protesting the lack of electricity following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

 

Residents on Monday morning used massive trees, old appliances and other debris to block the road leading to their community and other areas, including George's Valley and Bogue.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Monday morning, one resident explained that the Jamaica Public Service Company crew removed a light post that was damaged during the hurricane.

 

But he said JPS has not returned and the pole is yet to be replaced. 

 

Another resident alleged that the community is being unfairly punished. 

 

"The citizens of the Brae's River area being victimised because it is a PNP (People's National Party) stronghold. Because I've seen the MP with the JPS workers in Brighton, and they are working, they went to Phantiland, and they worked, and they got light. What happen to us? We don't have any downed poles. Last week Sunday, a JPS van took off the transformer round there and piece of the wire at the bridge, and they are blaming the citizens. It was a black JPS van," she complained. 

 

The lack of water is also sore point, with the residents claiming that when water is trucked to the area, it is sent to "special homes". 

 

The residents say the roadblocks will continue until power is restored. 

 

"We waan light and we serious. We nah stop block di road 'til we get light. Right deh suh it deh," one man declared.