Gov’t Prioritising Roof Repairs in Post-Hurricane Melissa Restoration

The Government has identified roof repairs as the foremost priority in the restoration of homes impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

“The JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) will be a key part of the plans to repair roofs in the affected areas. In addition to that, we are going to be working with HEART/NSTA Trust to be able to provide young people to work with the JDF in repairing those roofs that have been damaged,” said Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

Addressing Wednesday’s (December 10) Post-Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House, she announced that international support is being mobilised, with delegations from Guyana, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Rwanda joining the national recovery effort.

“The JDF will only be repairing roofs that are structurally sound,” Dr. Morris Dixon further advised.

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Commander Alvin Gayle, reported that more than 17,000 contributors have donated through the Government’s Support Jamaica portal, amounting to $780 million.

The funds will be allocated to the procurement of building materials, supporting the reconstruction of homes affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Meanwhile, Dr. Morris Dixon shared that Cabinet is also discussing other aspects of repairs.

“Minister [of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl] Vaz is also looking at house wiring, because that is very important. We will need to rewire many of these homes, and he is looking at how we can also support that,” she said.

Dr. Morris Dixon added that Cabinet is examining avenues for private construction companies to support the Government’s rebuilding programme.

“JDF will be meeting with private construction firms to be able to have that happen,” she said.