Eastern Westmoreland road repairs lag after Hurricane Melissa, opposition voice says

Concerns are being raised that the post-Hurricane Melissa recovery in Eastern Westmoreland is falling short, despite government announcements on infrastructure, housing and relief projects. In a YouTube interview, the speaker said public messaging has created the impression that the response is progressing smoothly, while conditions in affected communities tell a different story.

Asked whether there had been any attempt to engage the Government privately, beyond opposition press conferences, the speaker said elected representatives often have to press persistently for help for their constituents. The speaker described the role as becoming the "chief mendicant", saying they had been begging, advocating and pleading for assistance because allocations are controlled through government channels.

The main criticism was that coordination has not reached an acceptable standard. The speaker argued that substantial road damage occurred during the hurricane, yet Eastern Westmoreland had not received an allocation under a road programme since the storm passed.

The speaker also questioned how hurricane recovery funds were being presented. According to the interview, a minister announced that $500 million from a programme valued at more than $1 billion would go to Kingston and St. Andrew. The speaker said those areas did not bear most of the hurricane damage, and claimed the programme appeared to be a regular initiative later branded as part of the Hurricane Melissa response.

For Westmoreland, the speaker said the allocation for Western Jamaica amounted to about $70 million for the entire parish, adding that nothing significant had been done to address the needs in Eastern Westmoreland.