JLP’s Morgan says Gov’t spending $67 billion to assist with Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to  what he described as “grossly misleading narratives” concerning the Government’s expenditure on relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Senator Marlon Morgan said Friday the Government is spending $67 billion on the efforts.

In a statement, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Communication Taskforce member said: “The public should note that Finance Minister Fayval Williams had itemised the $67 billion being spent on Hurricane Melissa recovery and relief efforts, during her contribution to this year’s budget debate.”

He continued, “The referenced expenditure includes approximately $10 billion to assist Jamaicans to repair their roofs. It also includes $5 billion provided via the National Works Agency (NWA) to conduct clean-up and other post-disaster relief activities, and approximately $1 billion was expended on the provision of care packages.”

Morgan further noted that $3.2 billion has been expended to assist restoration of water supply, and an additional $3 billion to restore the agricultural sector.

He also referenced the US $150 million loan to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) which he said fast-tracked the restoration of electricity to the vast majority of Jamaicans five to six months ahead of what was indicated by the company.

Morgan added that of the $67 billion to assist Jamaicans to recover and access relief following Hurricane Melissa, $2.3 billion is being spent to assist in repairing schools and $3 billion to assist recovery of small businesses.

The senator noted that the Government also made a special cash transfer amounting to a total of $155 million to PATH beneficiaries and $32 million for children with disabilities affected by the hurricane, while $2.3 billion was committed to assist recovery of the health sector and $1.4 billion to assist recovery of the telecoms, energy, and transport sectors, which provide key services.

Morgan highlighted that the National Housing Trust (NHT) has been allocated $3.1 billion for the provision of 2,500 modular units, with $303.7 million set aside for installation.

To date, the NHT has spent $442.2 million on this project.

Morgan added that under the Hurricane Melissa Grant facility, the NHT has evaluated 4,664 claims and disbursed a total of $1.78 billion, while for peril insurance claims, the NHT has approved 1,134 claims, with 967 claims processed and disbursed, amounting to $1.09 billion.

He reiterated: “As it relates to the approximately $1.44 billion that have been received in donor funds for Hurricane Melissa-related support, $600 million of that amount is being used to build bases for the modular housing solutions for people whose dwellings have been been destroyed. Additionally, $240 million is being used to support the Government of Jamaica-directed Roof Repair Programme, where the JDF assists Jamaicans to restore their dwellings. This is separate from the ROOFS programme. Additionally, $560 million has been committed to additional Melissa-related recovery efforts.”

Morgan emphasised that Jamaica is in a new era of managing and accounting for public funds and in assuring donors and taxpayers alike of prudent stewardship.

“The Government will not spend funds in the corrupt manner in which former PNP administrations have treated the people’s resources. The $1.44 billion donated to assist in our recovery and rebuilding efforts could not have been used willy nilly,” he said.

He noted that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Eergency Management (ODPEM) needed to embark upon processes to ensure that the funds may be used and accounted for in accordance with budgetary rules, including the FAAA Act.

“Separate and apart from the necessary expenditure approval, the Government has prioritised use of the funds donated to the Support Jamaica Hurricane Melissa Relief platform, on tangible and demonstrably evident initiatives that deliver lasting value to beneficiaries. These include the Government-Directed Roof Repair Programme, the purchase of modular housing solutions and the construction of the concrete bases on which the housing solutions are being mounted,” he concluded.