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Let there be light: Adams Valley powers up for the first time ever
Published: Saturday | November 3, 2012 0 Comments
From left: Residents of Adams Valley district in Maidstone, Manchester, Hyacinth Allen, Gwendolyn Johnson, and Movanry Richards share in the joy of their community finally getting electricity with their Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips.
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Adams Valley powers up for the first time ever
Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer
ADAMS VALLEY, Manchester:AT 6: 45 p.m. on Wednesday, life in Dams Valley district in Maidstone, the first free village in Manchester, was changed significantly when the residents got electricity for the first time in the history of the community.
The project was a partnership between Mikael Phillips, member of parliament for North West Manchester, and the Rural Electrification Programme (REP).
The entire community was in a celebratory mood at the electrification ceremony held on Wednesday, where Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell turned on the lights, signifying the presence of electricity in the community.
For years, the residents of Adams Valley, many of whom are descendants of slaves, had no choice but to live their lives without electricity. Light for most came from the use of kerosene lamps and candles. Some who could afford it used generators run by gas. Those who couldn't were cut off from the rest the world as they did not have the privilege of watching television to keep abreast of what was happening.
Elaine Hart, president of the Adams Valley Citizens' Association, said: "Life here was really boring. There were a lot of things that we could have done. You know that we are now in the computer age, students coming from school with homework, if we had the light, they could use their computers because a lot of parents have computers, but no electricity."
She added: "Also, we housewives have our appliances packed away long time, but were not able to use them, so this is just a joyous moment for us. It will certainly make a big difference in our lives."
WONDERFUL MOMENT
Adams Valley resident Movanry Richards said: "This is such a wonderful moment for us. Life wasn't easy without electricity. Sometimes I had to go my mother's house in Johns Hall to use electricity, so this is a big change for us."
Ray Chambers, principal of Nazereth All-Age School, was also happy for his students who are from the area. "The students are excited about it. When I mentioned it at school that they will be getting electricity in their area, they were just thrilled for the fact that they will be able to do their homework using electricity instead of lamp light, because that was a big challenge for them."
The project came at a cost of $4.9 million. Phillips contributed $1.5 million from his Constituency Development Fund and the balance was from the REP. More than 30 households will receive electricity from the Jamaica Public Service's grid.
Residents are being given the opportunity to have their houses wired by the REP team. It was disclosed that eight have so far paid in full, while others have made deposits.
rural@gleanerjm.com
Published: Saturday | November 3, 2012 0 Comments
From left: Residents of Adams Valley district in Maidstone, Manchester, Hyacinth Allen, Gwendolyn Johnson, and Movanry Richards share in the joy of their community finally getting electricity with their Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips.
1 2 3 >
Adams Valley powers up for the first time ever
Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer
ADAMS VALLEY, Manchester:AT 6: 45 p.m. on Wednesday, life in Dams Valley district in Maidstone, the first free village in Manchester, was changed significantly when the residents got electricity for the first time in the history of the community.
The project was a partnership between Mikael Phillips, member of parliament for North West Manchester, and the Rural Electrification Programme (REP).
The entire community was in a celebratory mood at the electrification ceremony held on Wednesday, where Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell turned on the lights, signifying the presence of electricity in the community.
For years, the residents of Adams Valley, many of whom are descendants of slaves, had no choice but to live their lives without electricity. Light for most came from the use of kerosene lamps and candles. Some who could afford it used generators run by gas. Those who couldn't were cut off from the rest the world as they did not have the privilege of watching television to keep abreast of what was happening.
Elaine Hart, president of the Adams Valley Citizens' Association, said: "Life here was really boring. There were a lot of things that we could have done. You know that we are now in the computer age, students coming from school with homework, if we had the light, they could use their computers because a lot of parents have computers, but no electricity."
She added: "Also, we housewives have our appliances packed away long time, but were not able to use them, so this is just a joyous moment for us. It will certainly make a big difference in our lives."
WONDERFUL MOMENT
Adams Valley resident Movanry Richards said: "This is such a wonderful moment for us. Life wasn't easy without electricity. Sometimes I had to go my mother's house in Johns Hall to use electricity, so this is a big change for us."
Ray Chambers, principal of Nazereth All-Age School, was also happy for his students who are from the area. "The students are excited about it. When I mentioned it at school that they will be getting electricity in their area, they were just thrilled for the fact that they will be able to do their homework using electricity instead of lamp light, because that was a big challenge for them."
The project came at a cost of $4.9 million. Phillips contributed $1.5 million from his Constituency Development Fund and the balance was from the REP. More than 30 households will receive electricity from the Jamaica Public Service's grid.
Residents are being given the opportunity to have their houses wired by the REP team. It was disclosed that eight have so far paid in full, while others have made deposits.
rural@gleanerjm.com
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