Gov’t defends NaRRa and says ODPEM has no reconstruction mandate

October 29, 2026

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) does not have a reconstruction mandate as part of its operations.

The disclosure was made by Information Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon as she addressed the public debate on whether or not ODPEM should have led the island’s reconstruction efforts, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa a year ago.

Commenting on the matter at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, the Minister said ODPEM’s role is to prepare the country in the event of a natural disaster.

She said based on global analysis, a fit-for-purpose entity has driven rebuilding efforts in countries such as Peru.

The South American country’s reconstruction programme was launched after the devastating 2017 floods, which caused extensive damage to infrastructure.

Peru had established a dedicated reconstruction authority which later transitioned into the National Infrastructure Authority with responsibility for executing major national projects.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ODPEM-VS-NARRA-1.mp3

Dr. Morris Dixon said the Government revised the global recovery model to match the Jamaican situation, hence the creation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRa).

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ODPEM-VS-NARRA-2.mp3