Jamaica advances roof relief, road-safety reforms and hurricane school repairs

More than 700 Jamaican households are expected to receive about $159.2 million next week through the Government’s roof-restoration programme. The 707 beneficiaries include 451 households in St. Elizabeth, Labour and Social Security Minister Parnell Charles Jr announced during a parish visit addressing assessments, verification, payments and applications.

The Government is also considering temporary legislative changes to deal with outstanding traffic tickets before the demerit-point system starts on October 1. Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said limited court capacity, administrative pressures and the volume of unresolved cases make clearing the backlog under existing arrangements impractical. Proposed changes would undergo stakeholder consultation before reaching Parliament. Any possible fine amnesty would not prevent licence suspensions under the new system.

A Live Good Market Movement will promote peaceful conflict resolution in 13 markets during July and August 2026. Activities begin July 17 in Port Maria and St. Ann’s Bay, followed by Coronation Market on July 18; Linstead and Pen on July 24; Santa Cruz, Mandeville, Buff Bay and Morant Bay on July 25; Falmouth on August 19; Charles Gordon and Lucy on August 21; and Savanna-la-Mar on August 22. Vendors will serve as peace ambassadors, supported by municipal corporations, the Social Development Commission, police and RADA.

Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon said fortnightly online reports will disclose costs, contractors and completion targets for hurricane-related school repairs. Work is planned during the summer at 77 priority-two schools in Region 6 affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Five Span Primary in St. Elizabeth will reopen a rebuilt three-classroom block in September. The $300,000 facility, reconstructed by the Education Ministry, Food for the Poor Jamaica and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, will accommodate about 70 pupils. Fifty volunteers from Canada, aged seven to 87, completed the building in four days. Repairs are also under way at New Comma Valley, Barbary Hall, Follywood, Black River, Brampton and Middle Quarters primary schools.

Other programme features encouraged supervised swimming, life-jacket use and attention to currents, wildlife and warning notices at beaches and rivers. NEPA has trained and examined hundreds of rescuers. The programme also recognised Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr Darren Frey and maintenance officer Rayon Cunningham, whose work covers trauma care and critical systems including generators and boilers.

In St. Ann, the municipal corporation and police are preparing traffic and crowd-control measures for Reggae Sumfest at Plantation Cove on July 18. Mayor Michael Belnavis said additional officers, shuttle buses and carpooling should help reduce congestion.