Spending of Hurricane Melissa funds must be carefully planned for maximum efficiency – PM Holness

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the spending of funds donated to Jamaica in response to Hurricane Melissa must be thoroughly planned to ensure maximum and efficient usage. 

His comment comes amidst public concern that 1.8% of funds donated to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management for hurricane relief had not been used. 

The revelation was made in the Auditor General’s real-time compliance audit which showed that out of the $1.44 billion in cash donations received only $26.2 million had been spent by February 23 some four months after Hurricane Melissa hit the island.

Following the audit there was outrage especially from the Opposition who argued that affected citizens have been left unsupported while relief money sat unspent.   

Speaking at the Lewis Town Early Childhood Institution in St. Elizabeth today, Dr. Holness said some of the money will be used to fund modular homes as well as the bases for these semi-permanent, pre-fabricated housing solutions.

He also pointed to the establishment of a small community in Westmoreland to facilitate those persons housed at the Petersfield High School shelter.