Strengthening relationships through access, safety, reliability

With an investment of over $120 million since its inception in 2014, the JPS Community Renewal Programme has been a cornerstone of the company’s efforts to provide safe and reliable electricity to underserved communities across Jamaica. The programme, which has had a presence in over 30 communities across 9 parishes, continues to grow, improving the lives of thousands of residents by replacing unsafe connections with authorised, stable electricity.

Pia Baker, senior vice president of customer experience and commercial at JPS, emphasized the utility’s commitment to meeting consumers where they are: “Electricity is essential to living a dignified life, and we acknowledge that many consumers who strive to be customers may face difficulties transitioning to regularised service. The Community Renewal Programme allows us to work closely with residents in several communities to help them access safe supply to power what matters to them.”

EMPOWERMENT

To further educate residents and promote a culture of safety around electricity, JPS has implemented key initiatives like their Ambassadorship Programme. Marilyn McDonald, manager of community renewal at JPS, provided details on the purpose of the programme:

“The Ambassadorship Programme is crucial to our success in getting electricity to the communities. It allows us to engage community representatives who serve as liaison officers between the company and the residents, providing updates and ensuring that the process around getting safe access to electricity is understood by their counterparts. Additionally, they serve to help community members get a greater appreciation of how unauthorised connections can lead to unstable electricity supply, cause fires and pose serious threats to life and property, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly,” she explained.

A key feature of the JPS Community Renewal Programme has involved the wiring of houses. The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has been a key partner for the house wiring programme over the years. Most recently, in recognition of its 101 years of service to Jamaica, JPS rolled out a house wiring initiative which saw the successful wiring of 101 homes in the Riverton Meadows community. In partnership with the GOJ, through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), additional houses have been earmarked for wiring as the utility prepares to roll out phase two of its investment – building out the infrastructure to connect residents to the grid. JPS has welcomed the increased commitment for support from the Government for this fiscal year.

RECREATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Beyond electricity access, the programme also focuses on community empowerment and recreational engagement. Kerrica McGregor, community relations officer, shared: “JPS goes to great lengths to find creative ways of engaging both children and adults on a consistent basis in order to bring relief and provide avenues for exchange and camaraderie. Through the JPS Foundation and partners like Excelsior Community College (ECC) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), scores of residents in several communities get to benefit from both technical and soft skills training and development such as the Power Up Community Action Project, where residents participate in a five-month training in Electrical Technology or Solar Technology, Literacy and Numeracy; Entrepreneurship; and Life Skills.”

The utility also engages communities island-wide in back-to-school fairs, Christmas treats and summer energy camps.

The power distribution company said that the relationships with schools and community centres in neighbourhoods in which it has a presence, is made possible by key partnerships. JPS has been working with Registrar General’s Department (RGD), Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), the Social Development Commission (SDC), other foundations and government agencies. The company has been able to deepen engagement with residents to improve their quality of life.

In its quest to provide safe and reliable electricity, JPS is working towards the goal that when power is safely accessed, entire communities and the nation thrive.

More details on the Community Development Programme, can be accessed at www.jpsco.com.