Service restored to JPS customers following theft of oil from sub-station

Service has been restored to the 2,500 Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) customers who were left without electricity Tuesday as a result of the theft of oil from one of the entity's sub-stations. Customers in St. Ann, St. Catherine and St. Mary were affected after thieves removed oil from the transformer at the Blackstonedge facility at the border of St. Catherine and St. Mary.

JPS had said it would take up to three days to restore full service to the substation. However, restoration was completed within hours.

“We exceeded our own expectations and we actually brought the customers back on line at about 3:00 o’clock. The investigation continues as it relates to the theft,” said Ruthlyn Johnson, JPS Corporate Communications Officer

Miss Johnson said the company is imploring persons who are engaged in this illegal activity to desist because it really is an inconvenience which results in outages. She reiterated that it is illegal for unauthorised persons to enter the sub-stations.