Callum
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
IN A bizarre twist to the disclosure last week that Mirant intends to sell Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), customers across the 14 parishes were shocked by power cuts yesterday afternoon.
Reacting quickly, Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, demanded an "immediate explanation" from the light and power company regarding "the widespread power failure."
The minister said that the report from the JPS should be presented to him through the Government's regulatory agency - the Office of the Utilities Regulation - in time for presentation to the Cabinet when it meets tomorrow.
ASSURANCE
The minister also urged the light and power company to do its utmost to bring normality to the situation and to provide assurances that this occurrence would not be repeated
Late yesterday, Winsome Callum, corporate communications manager at JPS, told The Sunday Gleaner that the islandwide blackout began at 4:15 p.m.
"I am confirming that we are now experiencing an islandwide power cut because of a systems shutdown," she explained.
She added: "Unfortunately, all of our customers are without power supply (but) we are working to ensure that this problem is addressed as quickly as possible."
Ms. Callum was unable to divulge details on the nature of the problem that caused the far-reaching power outage.
Several hours later, homes and businesses without stand-by power supplies were still without electricity. This is the second island-wide blackout in recent years. The last time it occurred, a senior manager was dismissed over the incident.
The light and power company had announced a load-shedding programme, which began last week.
