Gov’t Ready to Respond to Tropical Storm Melissa – Minister Mckenzie

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, has assured that the Government is fully prepared to address any challenges that arise due to the impending passage of Tropical Storm Melissa.

“I want to reassure the country of Jamaica’s readiness to face up to this challenge that is imminent. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), along with the municipal corporations, have been meeting extensively over the last two weeks, and the country can rest assured of our capabilities in terms of responding,” he affirmed.

The Minister, who is Deputy Chair of the National Disaster Risk Management Council, was speaking at a special press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston on Wednesday (October 22).

In his remote address, he outlined that the island’s 881 emergency shelters have been inspected and shelter supervisors, managers and volunteers are on standby.

He noted, as well, that the Ministry has pre-positioned relief supplies in various sections of the island.

“We are also putting emergency equipment and teams in areas that we know are challenging. We do have a list of the areas that we need to pay attention to… . Rocky Point in Clarendon is one area, Taylor Land in the eastern part of the island is another. We have the Duhaney Park area, New Haven, and several other communities,” he outlined.

He noted that the Berger Gully and the McGregor Gully are also areas of concern.

“Presently, we are undertaking operations in those sections of East Kingston by installing over 1,000 sandbags based on the inspection that was undertaken by the ODPEM, along with Minister [without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert] Morgan’s team and other agencies,” he informed.