Jamaica advances roof assistance, traffic reforms and hurricane school repairs

More than 700 Jamaican households are due to share approximately $159.2 million next week through the Government’s restoration of owner or occupant family shelter roofs programme. Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr announced that 707 households, including 451 in St. Elizabeth, should benefit. During a parish visit, he discussed damage assessments, verification, payments and application processing, saying verified applicants could submit banking details for direct deposit.

The Government is also considering transitional legislation to address more than $1 million in unpaid traffic tickets before the demerit-point system starts on October 1. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz told Wednesday’s post-Cabinet briefing that court capacity, administrative limitations and the volume of cases made the backlog impractical to clear under existing arrangements. Plans include additional judicial resources, administrative support, expanded traffic-court capacity and longer sittings where feasible. Proposed amendments will undergo stakeholder consultation before reaching Parliament. Any fine amnesty would not prevent licence suspensions under the new system, which is intended to encourage safer roads and reduce deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of National Security and Peace will meanwhile carry its Live Good Market Movement to 13 markets during July and August 2026. Port Maria and St. Ann’s Bay are first on July 17, followed by Coronation Market on July 18; Linstead and May Pen on July 24; and Santa Cruz, Mandeville, Buff Bay and Morant Bay on July 25. Falmouth follows on August 19, Charles Gordon and Lucea on August 21, and Savanna-la-Mar on August 22. Vendors will be encouraged to model respectful behaviour and peaceful conflict resolution. Municipal corporations, the Social Development Commission, Jamaica Constabulary Force and Rural Agricultural Development Authority are partners.

Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon says fortnightly online reports will disclose costs, contractors and completion targets for hurricane-related school repairs. Speaking Tuesday at the second Region 6 Principals Retreat at Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny, she said summer work would begin at 77 priority-two schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa. Principals were urged to ensure longstanding concerns, including electrical work, are included while contractors are present.

Five Span Primary in St. Elizabeth will reopen a rebuilt three-classroom block in September. The US$300,000 facility, replacing one destroyed by Hurricane Melissa last October, was delivered by the ministry, Food for the Poor Jamaica and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation. Founder Karl Hale said 50 volunteers aged seven to 87 travelled from Canada and completed construction in four days. About 70 students will use the block. The foundation first built it in 2019, helping enrolment rise from 120 to 200. Parliamentary Secretary Senator Marlon Morgan praised the partnership. Work is also proceeding at Newcom Valley, Barbary Hall, Fullerswood, Black River, Brompton and Middle Quarters primary schools.

For Reggae Sumfest at Plantation Cove on July 18, the St. Ann Municipal Corporation and JCF are planning added traffic and crowd controls. Mayor Michael Belnavis said outside officers would support parish personnel, while organisers plan shuttle buses. Patrons are encouraged to carpool.