A motorist tries yesterday to cross the over-flooded Yallahs Fording in St. Thomas with the help of several young men who charged $q50 and sometimes more for their escort service. - Rudolph Brown
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has ordered the Ministry of Finance and Planning to release funds for immediate islandwide emergency relief operations following the havoc created by week-long torrential rains.
In a statement from Jamaica House last night, the Prime Minister said the Government was also identifying the financial resources for the medium and long-term rebuilding process.
Earlier yesterday, the Cabinet met officials of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), to assess the damage and discuss relief plans. Ministers whose areas of responsibility are directly involved also gave detailed reports at the meeting.
The Prime Minister did not state how much the restoration efforts would cost, but he indicated that Cabinet had only received preliminary assessments. However, after visiting sections of St. Mary and Portland last week, Robert Pickersgill, the new Transport and Works Minister, said initial estimates were put at $150 million.
In the meantime, Mr. Patterson said he has directed that immediate efforts should be focused on increasing the provision of emergency relief supplies for persons in the severely damaged areas; giving all affected persons emergency supplies, providing persons with temporary housing so schools which serve as temporary shelters can be reopened for teaching; clearing all main roads and Parish Council roads as swiftly as possible, and keeping health considerations in the forefront.
"I want to assure the nation that the Government and agencies of the state are doing all that is possible to provide the necessary relief and to alleviate the loss and discomfort being experienced at this time," Mr. Patterson said, adding that the Cabinet has received an assessment of personal losses to families and persons in all areas, as well as damages to roads and agricultural land.
He added that he deeply regretted the loss of lives and extended sympathies to the bereaved families.
The Prime Minister also said he would be touring sections of St. Mary and Portland ahead of a statement to Parliament today in which he will outline plans and arrangements for relief and rehabilitation, as well as details on the instructions given to respective ministries and the ODPEM.
