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Prime Minister Tours Hurricane Affected Parishes

September 16, 2004

The Full Story

Prime Minister P. J. Patterson began a tour of hurricane-affected areas of the island yesterday (Sept.14) starting with Clarendon, which was one of the worst hit parishes.
Among the areas visited were Old Harbour Bay and Portland Cottage, where five persons died after a storm surge swept the community. Today, he is expected to journey to the parish of Westmoreland.
On Monday (Sept.13), Mr. Patterson saw firsthand the devastation of the Caribbean Terrace community in Harbour View, when he, along with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning and a delegation of ministers, ambassadors and representatives of the private sector, visited the area.
“Caribbean Terrace has been badly ravaged by Hurricane Ivan and from there to the Norman Manley International Airport. It was an experience to observe for myself the extent of the damage experienced on the coastal areas and the shoreline,” the Prime Minister told journalists at Monday’s post Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
“I wish to commend all those who restored the road to the condition it is now in, and especially Bouygues, which donated equipment and time,” the Prime Minister added. Bouygues is the construction company undertaking the Highway 2000 development.
Meanwhile, Cabinet on Monday received reports from heads of multi-faceted teams responsible for disaster management and response.
“We were fully briefed on the initial assessment of damages done by Hurricane Ivan and updated on relief efforts already undertaken. But we are far from being able to make any estimates in terms of monetary value on damages which have accrued,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Mr. Patterson said that the damage to the south coastal strip of Jamaica to the western end particularly Negril, the hills of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Manchester, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny had been extensive.

Last Updated: September 16, 2004

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