A Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll has indicated that from August 25 to 26, an average of 38 per cent of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers had "normal electricity" restored while about 50 per cent of National Water Commission (NWC) consumers had received "normal water" supply as the recovery process continues.

However, the JPS reported yesterday that 88 per cent of its customers across the country now had electricity. The NWC had restored water to 94 per cent of its customers up to yesterday.

Differ significantly

The findings ofthe survey in relation to the restoration of electricity differ significantly from the JPS' figures, which show that on August 25, at least 60 per cent of the country had been restored power and 78 per cent on August 27.

An average 31 per cent of the sample interviewed on August 25 and 26 reported major damage to their houses, while 13 per cent of respondents said there was minor damage.

Johnson and his team interviewed 1,008 persons in 84 communities islandwide. The margin of error is plus or minus three per cent.

According to the poll, an average 12 per cent of agricultural crops were lost during the passage of the hurricane.

In terms of the perceptions of Government's responsiveness to the disaster, six per cent of the sample said they were very satisfied and 27 per cent were satisfied. However, 44 per cent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the Government's response to hurricane relief efforts. Hurricane Dean slammed into Jamaica on Sunday, August 19.