Meats rot amid power outage in Trelawny

WESTERN BUREAU:

Meat spoilage. That was the main complaint voiced by frustrated residents across sections of Trelawny on Monday afternoon.

The residents all told The Gleaner that they have been without electricity since Wednesday, and while they understand the circumstance, they shared that they have been forced to discard their meat kinds due to the lack of power.

Paul Gordon, a farmer who also prepares and sells food in Jackson Town, explained that he has sustained major financial losses due to the lack of electricity in his First Hill community. He said that approximately 270lbs of chicken were thrown out on Monday morning as they began to rot away in his hot refrigerator.

“We have a lot of meat spoil. Mi did have a lot of chicken because mi did kill some chicken the week before and dem did deh pon the fridge. And this morning mi haffi [dispose of] dem because all of dem spoil. Mi did have some chicken back wah mi sell and mi have fi throw dem weh, too. And some chicken neck,” he said.

Gordon complained bitterly as he claimed that there has been no communication from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) or his elected political representatives.

“It has been bad because we have no electricity, and we don’t see anybody to talk to. We nuh see no Jamaica Public Service representative or any Internet man. We nuh see anyone at all. Mi did see dem have a likkle man a walk around, but I’m not even sure if he is my councillor,” he said.

At the same time, Gordon told The Gleaner that while he is not discouraged, he cannot envision how he will build back his business to where it once was.

“You know say this a go affect my business bad because right now mi can’t even buy back all of those things. My business is my living and mi have a daughter going to high school, so come September morning, mi not even know how she a go back to school. We nuh know wah fi do,” said Gordon.

Similarly, Christopher Smart, a welder in Jackson Town, said that he, too, has been forced to get rid of the perishable items from his refrigerator. He said that he had recently received a piece of pig trotters and was looking forward to indulging in the delectable meal. However, he had to dispose of it as a stench reeked from his kitchen.

“A wul heap of stress mi under. A wah whole hog foot mi haffi dash weh and that bun mi to mi heart,” said Smart.

Smart also complained of a lack of communication. However, he told The Gleaner that residents in sections of Trelawny are still without proper cell service.

“Only the likkle police dem wah we have in Stewart Town a look out fi we. We nuh see nobody else,” said Smart.

Phillip Haughton, another cook shop owner in a nearby community called Biddiford, also said that he has been devastated since Wednesday’s passing of Hurricane Beryl. In addition to the spoilage of meat and alcoholic beverages, Haughton said that his shop’s roof has taken a beating.

“The hurricane deal wid me a way because it tek off the roof of my shop, so mi affi get some things and hold it down.

“Right now, nuff of things dem in the shop spoil because mi cook and sell, so the meat dem spoil,” he further complained. “Mi sell liquor too, so the one dem in the fridge spoil because no light nuh deh bout.”

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com