Power problem at Parliament
Published:Friday | June 6, 2025 | 12:10 AM
Employees of the Houses of Parliament were forced to work remotely on Thursday due to ongoing electrical issues at Gordon House, the seat of Jamaica’s legislature.
The Gleaner understands that staff have also been instructed to continue working from home today.
In a notice issued to members of the Upper House on Thursday, Clerk to the Houses of Parliament Coleen Lowe advised that the Senate would not convene on June 6. When contacted by The Gleaner for further comment on the electrical issue, Lowe tersely replied, “No comment.”
According to a source close to Gordon House, the electrical problems intensified on Tuesday, causing a delay in the start of Parliament’s sitting. Electricians have since been brought in and are working to resolve the issue.
Senate President Tom Tavares Finson confirmed yesterday that Tuesday’s disruption was caused by an electrical outage and the subsequent failure of the standby generator to activate. He said repairs are expected to be completed over the weekend, allowing staff to return to the office by Monday.
In the meantime, a joint select committee reviewing the Tobacco Control Act, 2020, held its meeting virtually yesterday instead of following the usual hybrid format.