IMAJ Urges Adherence to Proper Building Standards

Homeowners are being urged to take proactive steps to ensure that their buildings are safe and structurally sound as the nation continues to observe Earthquake Awareness Month in January.

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service Think Tank, Past President of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ), Lenworth Kelly, said informed decision-making, professional guidance and adherence to proper building standards, are critical components of earthquake preparedness, particularly for homeowners.

He cautioned that this is critical given the widespread acceptance of informal contractors for construction, noting that too many individuals present themselves as contractors without the requisite qualifications or standards.

“So, you have a lot of informal persons who say they are contractors, and they are accepted just on that basis. These are some of the issues homeowners need to be mindful of,” he said.

To assist the public, Mr. Kelly said the IMAJ offers free in-house consultation to guide homeowners who are planning to build, renovate or expand their properties.

The service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays and allows homeowners to receive professional advice from an IMAJ consultant at no cost.

“Persons can call the IMAJ offices and set up an appointment. You can do an online call, a Zoom meeting, or come in and sit with the consultant. We make that available to the public free of cost to give you direction,” Mr. Kelly stated.

The initiative aligns with the objectives of Earthquake Awareness Week, (January 11-17), which aims to educate the public on preparedness measures to reduce injuries, loss of life and property damage during seismic events.

The week is being observed under the national theme, ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’.

More than 400 earthquakes were recorded in and around Jamaica in 2025. Approximately 122 of these were classified as near events, including seismic activity affecting neighbouring territories such as the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Haiti, while 280 earthquakes were recorded locally and distributed across the island.

Earthquake Awareness Week is spearheaded by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and includes activities designed to strengthen national awareness and resilience.