After being forced to endure darkness and discomfort for more than a month, dancehall entertainer Laden is relieved that electricity has been restored to his community. The Time To Shine artiste resides in Dunder Hill, Junction, St Elizabeth. Many areas in the parish have been without electricity since Hurricane Beryl passed close to the country's south coast on July 3 and left a trail of destruction in its wake.
"Yesterday, wi get back current [electricity] suh yuh done know, food affi cook," the artiste said with a laugh as he rattles with dishes and pots in his kitchen. "But yeah, I got back light yesterday, I went out and a when mi fawud in mi see seh di place light up suh dat a waah big relieve fa me," Laden told T HE STAR. Light and power company, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), said more than 98 per cent of its customers across the island have been restored with electricity since the storm.
It said the return to normalcy for St Elizabeth should take place by month's end. Laden said being without electricity for such an extended period was difficult. "Being in the dark, it can add a little pressure on yuh - yuh nuh able fi have little cool water inna yuh fridge, yuh can't press, yuh can't wash.
Modern days now, suh all these equipment can't run without current, suh most definitely it affect us inna a way, especially me personally," said the musician. He said that the absence of electricity also had an adverse impact on Internet and telephone services, making connectiv.