Corrective Actions Arising from All-Island Blackout Must Be Treated with Urgency – Minister Vaz

Kingston, Jamaica – Energy Minister Daryl Vaz isn’t playing games. He’s made it crystal clear: the recommendations and fixes coming out of that massive June 5 blackout need to be handled with serious speed. When he talks about keeping the lights on, he means business. He’s stressing that if we don’t act fast, we’re just asking for another island-wide shutdown.

That blackout wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a mess. The whole country went dark for hours. Businesses lost money. People were stuck. And it forced everyone to start asking hard questions about how well we’re really maintaining our national grid. Minister Vaz’s urgency isn’t just talk. It’s a clear signal that the government expects JPS to step up and deliver reliable power to every Jamaican home and business.

So what went wrong? JPS says the trouble started at their Old Harbour Bay Power Station. Investigations are still happening, but the Minister’s already warning that the fixes won’t be simple. Expect recommendations around making the grid more stable, tightening up maintenance schedules, improving how they communicate during emergencies, and upgrading old equipment. These aren’t optional—they’re essential if we want to rebuild public trust.

For you and me, steady electricity isn’t a luxury. It’s how we live, work, and get things done. The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) will have a big role to play here, making sure JPS follows through on their promises and doesn’t just sweep this under the rug. Keep your eyes open as these changes start rolling out.

Minister Vaz made one thing clear: the government isn’t backing down. They’re committed to building an energy system that can take a hit and keep going. He says the lessons from June 5 can’t just be quick fixes. They have to lead to real, lasting change—for the sake of Jamaica’s future.