Gov’t Urges Jamaicans to Join National Post-Hurricane Clean-Up Programme

Jamaicans are being encouraged to participate in the national clean-up programme, to clear debris from communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing a press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (November 26), Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the national clean-up exercise, slated to commence next week in Westmoreland, will target the 16 most-affected constituencies.

Initial operations are projected for two to four fortnights.

“We might not be able to accomplish all that we want in that period. But the necessary arrangements are in place if we have to go beyond. The call is being made for well-thinking Jamaicans to join in this exercise. So if you have a truck, a tractor, backhoe, any heavy-duty equipment that you have that can assist in the cause, you can make it available when we go to the respective parishes,” he said.

“Each constituency will provide some 200 workers towards the programme. I’m urging Jamaicans, even though a stipend will be paid to some, those who can give freely of their time [should do so], because this is a national issue,” Mr. McKenzie stated.

He added that discussions will be undertaken with Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, regarding a potential partnership with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), particularly in relation to the use of woodchippers.

“We’re going to be calling on the JPS, because there are going to be areas where cleaning is going to be taking place where there are still fallen JPS lines and poles, and we will need the JPS’s assistance,” Minister McKenzie further said.

In a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 25), Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, informed that the Government has allocated $10 million to each constituency to support the clean-up of debris left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

Of the allocation, $2 million will be directed to drain and waterway cleaning and vector control to reduce the spread of pests and disease, $5 million to debushing, and $3 million to debris and waste removal. In addition, each Councillor across all constituencies will receive $150,000.

According to satellite-based analysis conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Hurricane Melissa left more than 4.8 million tonnes of debris across the island.

The debris is obstructing roads in multiple instances, restricting access to schools, hospitals, farms, and markets, slowing relief distribution, and delaying the restoration of essential services.

The UNDP estimates that the debris is equivalent to approximately 480,000 standard truckloads.

This includes 2.1 million tonnes of building and construction material, 1.3 million tonnes of vegetation waste, and 1.4 million tonnes of personal property and mixed household debris.