Green wants more Gov’t, private sector support for Beryl-ravaged St Bess

WESTERN BUREAU

Member of Parliament (MP) for St Elizabeth South Western, Floyd Green, is supporting the frustrated cries of Parottee residents, who are calling for faster restoration efforts in their community amid damage left by Hurricane Beryl nearly seven weeks ago.

Parottee, a fishing village just a few miles outside of Black River, has been left without electricity after the Category 4 hurricane reared its ugly head on July 3. With St Elizabeth receiving the hardest hit, recovery efforts have been slow, and residents recently told The Gleaner that their standard of living has been significantly affected.

Runece Wright, a fisherwoman and business operator, said she has lost all sources of income due to Beryl. She further complained that the lack of electricity in her community has severely impacted her ability to earn as a fisherwoman. This, she said, will also affect her children’s ability to attend school in the upcoming school year as she has had no resources to purchase supplies.

Green, while speaking with The Gleaner in Parottee recently, acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents and noted that efforts have been made to lobby on behalf of those affected. The yearly book vouchers and grants allowances are also still available at his Black River-based constituency office, he said.

“It would have already been closed, but one of the things we have done this year is to reopen that process so that people can still go to the office and get some support,” he noted.

Homeless and unemployed

At the same time, Green said he has also requested additional support from the Government and private-sector companies, inclusive of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation.

“I have also had discussions with the Ministry of Education to look at those communities that are significantly impacted, not only in terms of damage to the houses, but also the economy.”

Green added: “We have also reached out to the JPS Foundation to say that a part of the reality these communities face is because of the lack of electricity, and they are unable to do their regular economic activity, whether that be fishing or running their shops. I think if we take an all-hands approach, we can ensure that all of those children are back in school come Monday morning.”

Meanwhile, Green shared that approximately 60 per cent of residents in his constituency have since received power, but the rural MP said the damage in his area is “extensive”. He pointed out that the passage of Hurricane Beryl has left many families both homeless and unemployed.

“The damage is extensive. It spans multiple communities. At least 25 communities have been impacted, with 15 communities having at least 60 per cent of their houses being damaged,” Green said.

He went on to state that support has since been given to the affected residents, with additional resources being made available through the agriculture and labour ministries. Green also hinted at a programme being aimed at the fisheries sector.

“Parottee is a fishing community, and so a part of what we did was take some time to get a good assessment of the people who have been damaged. The way our fisheries sector is set up, we can’t just make an assessment right after the storm because they weren’t able to go out to see if their traps are there,” he explained.

“A lot of them have now gone out and haven’t found their traps, so [they] have made their reports. We’re going to start the process of helping them, especially with wires,” Green told The Gleaner.

In addition to that programme, Green, who is also the minister of agriculture and fisheries, stated that work is being done to provide fisherfolk across various fishing villages with ice to store their products.

Furthermore, Green said the residents’ concerns regarding their safety amid the seven-week long power outage is understandable and justifiable. The MP went on to chastise the utility company for not having adequate “boots on the ground” and suggested that temporary solar streetlights be erected in communities like Parottee.

“I have said publicly that JPS needs to accelerate the pace of their restoration efforts because August 31st is just too late. They definitely need more boots on the ground, and I have spoken to the new CEO, who has promised that [that] will happen this week, so we are looking to see that,” Green said.

Additionally, Green said it is a “travesty” for the utility company to send out electricity bills to residents who have been left without power.

“They have already said that only 10,000 customers don’t have electricity, and they know who those people are, so they can suspend the bills,” Green suggested.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com