Golding Condemns Government Over Slow Hurricane Melissa Relief Disbursements

Political pressure is mounting again over how Hurricane Melissa relief money is being used, after Opposition Leader Mark Golding studied the Auditor General's latest findings.

Golding, who heads the People's National Party, said the figures in the report raise serious questions about the Government's pace of help for storm-hit residents.

"When I read the report saying that as at February 23, 2026, five months after the hurricane hit, $26 million (JMD), less than 2% to spend on the people who are suffering... That is an act of gross dereliction of duty by the Government," he said.

He pointed to communities in the parishes worst affected by the hurricane, noting that many residents remain in difficulty even though the administration has publicised relief programmes.

Golding argued that funds still sitting unused could have reached more people in need. He raised the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Initiative, saying it has paid what he considers modest amounts to households facing heavy damage.

"This (unspent) money could have helped farther," he added.

The opposition leader also took issue with how the wider disaster response is being run and with post-storm changes at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

"The Prime Minister took ODPEM, which is supposed to be an independent disaster preparedness organisation, set up under strong legislation… put it into the Office of the Prime Minister, under his leadership – changed the man in charg," Golding said.