Power outage in Diamond Vale angers residents

TTEC workmen carrying out work on overhead electricity lines along Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard to St Lucien Road, Diego Martin, yesterday blamed faulty installation of poles and overhead wiring, for the disruption of electricity in the area.

They however assured that electricity would have been restored by around 4 pm yesterday. Since Wednesday, several areas along St Lucien Road were without water and electricity. The situation was compounded when because of work being done on the extension of the Highway, entrance to Diamond Vale was blocked off to traffic at the corner of St Lucien Road and the Wendy Fitzwilliam Boulevard. Traffic had to be diverted north to River Estate and back around the crowded Diego Martin Main Road. Residents claimed that no notices were put up at the Boulevard entrance warning motorists that the road was closed to traffic.

Up to late yesterday, the area was without water as the supply was not possible without electricity. Angry residents complained that they were not informed in advance about any plans by TTEC to carry out work on overhead lines. They added that if this was done they would have been better prepared to deal with the situation. Many residents were forced to dump food stored in freezers. Some residents who do not own a tank were forced to beg for water, or go to the homes of relatives to bathe and wash.

When Newsday visited the area yesterday workmen were repairing a rotting pole. Workmen claimed that a contractor had been hired by TTEC to carry out work in the area, but it was discovered that the work was not up to standard. A decision was taken to have the lines and some of the poles replaced. Although, a supervisor on the shift said the situation would have been rectified by 4 pm yesterday, workmen claimed that due to the type of work being carried out they did not expect electricity to be restored before 10 pm last night. Dennis McComie, Corporate Communications Officer at TTEC said  he was aware of the problem in Diego Martin, but assured that workmen were working round the clock to have power restored. He apologised for the inconvenience.