Jamaica Allocates J$10m Per Constituency
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a J$10 million allocation to each constituency to jump-start a national clean-up campaign following Hurricane Melissa, with a further J$150,000 for each councillor. The programme includes a J$2 million allocation for drain and waterway cleaning and vector control, J$5 million for debushing and J$3 million for debris removal, and will employ teams overseen by the Social Development Commission and coordinated by the National Solid Waste Management Authority.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has unveiled a J$10 million-per-constituency fund to kick-start a national clean-up campaign following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, with an additional J$150,000 allocated to every constituency councillor to support local action. Holness made the announcement during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives, saying this year’s effort will dovetail with the annual mitigation and clean-up programme commonly known as “Christmas work.” The J$10 million package is divided into J$2 million for drain and waterway cleaning and vector control, J$5 million for debushing, and J$3 million for debris and waste removal.
The prime minister stressed the exercise is more than seasonal maintenance, describing it as part of a broader debris-management programme. Additional targeted funding will go to 16 of the most-affected constituencies across Westmoreland, Hanover, St James, Trelawny and St Elizabeth — parishes hit hardest by Melissa.
Holness said other severely affected communities islandwide would also be prioritised as resources allow. The initial operations are expected to run for two months, with the possibility of extension. The programme is planned to employ between 100 and 200 people per constituency in the 16 hard-hit areas.
The Social Development Commission (SDC) will oversee recruitment, training and the organisation of work teams, with a stated aim to ensure workers are properly documented, supported to open bank accounts where needed, and trained in safe handling and disposal of debris — part of a wider push to formalise labour and strengthen social protection during emergencies.
Operational planning and scheduling will be coordinated by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), supported by the Jamaica Defence Force, the National Spatial Data Unit (using GIS mapping to tag and track debris), the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
The NSWMA is identifying temporary disposal sites and exploring recycling and scrap-metal recovery, and procurement of additional trucks, compactors and heavy equipment is already underway. Holness pointed to international examples, including Japan and the United States, where waste-to-income schemes were used after major disasters.
He also cited United Nations Development Programme estimates that Melissa left roughly 4.8 million tonnes of debris — about 480,000 standard truckloads — underscoring the scale of the challenge. Relevance for residents of the British Virgin Islands includes the practical lessons in rapid debris management, worker protection and the potential for recycling and waste-to-income initiatives after storms.
Clean, cleared roads and functioning waterways are critical to restoring access to schools, hospitals, farms and markets, protecting public health and supporting recovery of tourism and local economies. Holness urged all sectors of society — schools, businesses, community groups, churches and households — to join the campaign, noting that a concerted national effort strengthens resilience and speeds recovery.
Primary source: VINO