Prime Minister Holness Emphasises Shift from Post-Hurricane Relief to Economic Recovery

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says while Jamaicans across the island have shown care and concern by providing humanitarian relief to victims of Hurricane Melissa in the western region, greater emphasis must now be placed on the recovery of the national economy.

He maintains that recovery from the category-five hurricane cannot rely solely on humanitarian relief, as such efforts are inherently time‑bound.

“Where our efforts truly must be is on the recovery of the economy… because without the economic recovery you cannot sustain a long period of humanitarian relief. After a while, even the most considerate friend and partner will say ‘you have to stand on your two feet now; you will have to be able to do it yourself’. The only way to do it yourself is to make sure that you have a strong and functioning economy,” Dr. Holness underscored.

He was speaking during Tuesday’s (December 2) ceremony to break ground for the US$50-million Tropical Sugar Company Limited in Chesterfield, Clarendon, opposite the former Monymusk Estate.

The factory is expected to revitalise the sugar industry in south Clarendon, generating approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness called on the business community in the areas of Jamaica spared from Hurricane Melissa to work “doubly hard” in support of the national post‑hurricane recovery effort.

“That half of Jamaica… should increase its productivity, should continue with business, continue with its operations so that we can compensate for the loss of business activity and productivity in the other half of the island, and generate the revenues to be able to take care of our brothers and sisters who have been affected,” he urged.

Dr. Holness also encouraged business owners, including entrepreneurs, small shop operators, farmers, hoteliers, and members of the logistics and technology industries, to seize the opportunity to expand their enterprises, noting that “it is in your growth that we will be able to recover the other half of Jamaica”.