The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says it lacks the human resources required to carry out verification checks for utility companies' recovery claims.

Director General of the OUR Ansord Hewitt made the disclosure at yesterday's meeting of the Public Administration and Appropriation Committee of parliament.

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Approximately 60,000 National Water Commission, (NWC) customers remain without water in western Jamaica, following the passage of hurricane Melissa.

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management ODPEM Commander Alvin Gayle made the disclosure during yesterday's Post Cabinet Press briefing.

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The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) noted that this is part of requirements of the utility provider, under the guaranteed standards. 

Consumer Affairs Policy Specialist at the OUR Ms. Collette Goode gave the explanation while responding to questions during yesterday's sitting of parliaments public administration and appropriation committee meeting.

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The appeal comes after several spans of transmission and distribution lines were stolen from a JPS work site in the Richmond community on Sunday night.

In addition to removing the wires, vandals cut sections of the remaining lines, leaving them completely unusable.

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Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is assuring the country that there will be sufficient food for the Christmas period.

Hurricane Melissa devastated the agriculture sector in several parishes, impacting thousands of farmers.

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The funds acquired through support Jamaica will be used to purchase building material to support the rebuilding effort, following the devastation caused by hurricane Melissa in October.

Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said Cabinet on Monday made the decision about how the funds will be used.

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Finance Minister Fayval Williams has assured that the government will be able to manage the country's debt to gross domestic product (GDP).

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, as she tabled the third supplementary estimates, Mrs. Williams acknowledged concerns about funding support from international partners and how this will affect debt.

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Grammy-winning reggae icon Buju Banton has weighed in on Prime Minister Andrew Holness's plea to Jamaicans to respect the dignity of Hurricane Melissa victims by not filming or sharing videos of them in vulnerable situations while distributing care packages. 

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Head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle says some 100 shelters remain open across the island. According to Commander Gayle 1107 people are in these shelters.

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Information Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon says cabinet is still working through the details of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARA). Dr Morris Dixon notes that the Government is taking time to ensure that Jamaica is rebuilt in a resilient manner.

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