Cabinet to Finalise Reconstruction Payments

Cabinet will meet on Monday (Jan. 5) to finalise the distribution of reconstruction grants to  householders impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

“We will finalise the categories of assessment and benefit levels, whether you’ve got minor damage, major damage or severe damage and we will finalise the associated amounts that each category will get,” said Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.

He was addressing the inaugural Black River Fireworks Festival in St. Elizabeth on Wednesday (Dec. 31).

Over 50,000 household damage assessments have been completed as Government prepares to begin payments this month.

Dr. Holness said that the support will be structured and needs-based, noting that the process is designed to ensure fairness and accountability.

“Because at the end of the day, this is about helping the needy and not the greedy. It’s about helping the people who actually need it,” he said.

“For you to benefit, you must have identification. You must be able to establish your identity,” the Prime Minister added.

He further emphasised the importance of equity in the distribution process.

“We’re not going to be doing it in a way where people are going to get multiple benefits. We want everybody to get a benefit,” he pointed out.

The Prime Minister commended residents who have begun to repair their homes.

“I want to commend and applaud all of you who started taking up sheets of zinc and nailing them back on to your house and not waiting on Government,” he said.

He recounted an encounter with a gentleman during a recent visit to Black River, who said that all he wanted was 10 sheets of zinc.

“He got his 10 sheets of zinc and he’s a happy man. He sent me a message to say how happy he is,” the Prime Minister said.