WHILE rivalry remains part of doing business, Jamaica’s utility providers adopted a “country-first” approach following Hurricane Melissa, according to Digicel Jamaica CEO Stephen Murad, who noted that the scale of the devastation in affected communities demanded cooperation and a sustained commitment to helping residents recover.

Murad said that although telecommunications companies and utilities compete daily for customers and market share, the focus shifted dramatically after the storm left communities across western Jamaica struggling to rebuild.

“I think it’s important to get back to the crux of what we do as entities around protecting Jamaica. That’s the thing that keeps me awake every single night — to think about what we can do. I know Hugh [Grant, president of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS)] is not here, but I think since Hugh came along, the collaboration between all of us is absolutely tight,” he said.