Jamaica’s recovery effort progressing

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

~~Adz:Right~~ KINGSTON, Jamaica – THE Jamaican government has already taken steps to ensure that the island recovers from the destruction which Tropical Storm Gustav left in its wake.

According to a release carried by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), a Disaster Recovery Fund was launched on Tuesday with a $20 million contribution being made by local company Supreme Ventures Limited. 

According to the JIS, Prime Minister Bruce Golding made an appeal to other private sector members to contribute to the fund, which he says is proposed to be used to assist with rebuilding those houses that were totally or extensively damaged.

“An appeal is being made to other private sector companies to support the effort. Jamaica National Building Society, through its remittance arm JN Money Services and Grace Kennedy Remittance Services, through Western Union, have agreed to provide facilities to enable Jamaicans in the Diaspora to contribute to the Fund. It is proposed to dedicate the Fund to assist in the rebuilding of houses for persons whose houses were destroyed or extensively damaged,” the JIS quoted the PM as saying.

The JIS also reported that the Prime Minister said through the Spanish Agency for International Corporation, the Spanish government has made arrangements for seven tons of relief supplies to be shipped to Jamaica. The supplies are to come from its Logistic Humanitarian Centre located in Panama.

“He also noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), would coordinate the approaches that might be made and discussions that might be held with bilateral and multilateral partners,” the JIS reports.

Speaking to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, Prime Minister Golding informed it is expected that estimates of funds needed to repair public buildings, infrastructure and sewage systems, and for assisting persons whose homes sustained considerable damage as a result of Gustav would be completed within a week.

“The cost is expected to be significant and will pose challenges for the budgetary framework. These are challenges that must be met and appropriate adjustments will have to be made to meet these unforeseen obligations while preserving the integrity and credibility of the Government’s fiscal programme.”

JIS reports that “the Prime Minister also informed that the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service is in discussions with the relevant Ministries and agencies to ensure the timely provision of funds, to meet the cost of the emergency works and relief measures that are being carried out. Further provisions await the submission and certification of detailed estimates”.