Andrew Holness Names Anthony Anderson To Lead National Reconstruction Authority

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness on Wednesday named Ambassador Major General Anthony Anderson as chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, with the appointment to take effect on June 1. Anderson, Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, is being placed at the centre of the country’s post-Hurricane Melissa recovery and rebuilding programme.

Holness said Anderson brings experience across public administration, national security, disaster management, crisis response and institutional leadership. The Prime Minister also pointed to Anderson’s past command of both the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, as well as his recent chairmanship of Jamaica’s post-Hurricane Beryl disaster risk management review committee.

The Government is also moving to overhaul disaster readiness, with Holness saying the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management must become a stronger national body for crisis leadership and coordination. He said steps already taken include an organisational review, recruitment, post upgrades, staff welfare measures and planned training.

In western Jamaica, the People’s National Party welcomed Holness’ announcement that the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James, will be named for former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. Opposition Leader Mark Golding said the hospital was linked to Simpson Miller’s legacy, describing it as her brainchild and noting her role in securing Chinese support for the project.

Other national issues highlighted included continuing pressure on the health system from staff shortages and migration, with opposition health spokesman Dr. Alfred Dawes warning that Jamaica struggles to compete with overseas recruitment of doctors and nurses. Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. also said labour laws must keep pace with platform work and the gig economy.

In St. Ann, residents of Stephney are to benefit from a 180,000-gallon rainwater catchment tank under a $140 million project due to start June 1 and run for about six months. Water Minister Matthew Samuda said the work should reduce reliance on trucking water and strengthen rural resilience ahead of dry, hot conditions.

At the Denham Town Golden Age Home, six units were repaired under a Labour Day project led by the Ministry of Local Government, with support from government agencies, the private sector and the Jamaica Defence Force.

The Health Ministry also urged Jamaicans to rethink travel to Ebola-affected countries after World Health Organization concern over outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Dr. Nicole Dawkins said Jamaica’s current risk is relatively low, but travellers from affected countries may be monitored or quarantined for up to 21 days.