News

The Electrical Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Transport and Works, Urban Development and Local Government launched their Safety Awareness program on Monday, 23rd May, 2022. The aim of the launch is to educate the public and consumers about the hazards associated with electricity and electrical safety in homes and working environment.

To kick start the activities, would be two whistle stops which would start at Fancy on the Windward side of the island and Chateaubelair on the Leeward side of the island and end in Kingstown. On Thursday and Friday respectively would be safety awareness fora held at the different technical institutes around the country, the week of activities would climax with an exhibition at the Old Treasury Building site.

The modest launch, which was held at the Ministry of Transport and Works Conference Room heard remarks from the Chief Electrical Inspector Hetlyn Francis who spoke of the current re- electrification programme where homes are retrofitted with new and proper wiring for meeting proper safety standards. Francis emphasized that all this would be done for free for all the house hold that meet the requirements.

This retrofitting programme forms part of the Renewal at Forty program which started in 2020 as part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' 40th Anniversary of Independence.  The program which was scheduled to run for 3 years was successful in the first year, however, it was interrupted in year 2 by the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano. Over 40 homes have already been retrofitted under the programme.

Francis also reminds the public that the department also certifies domestic installations for 10 years and commercial installation for 5 years and urges property owners who have had their properties certified before 2012 to come into the department and apply for re-inspection of their properties.

SOURCE: Agency For Public Information