Gov't doubles disaster allocation for constituencies to $400 million

The Government has doubled its allocation for constituency level disaster preparedness from $200 million to $400 million amid the threat posed by Tropical Storm Melissa.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Robert Nesta Morgan, said the decision follows a directive from Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, to intensify national readiness and flood mitigation efforts ahead of the storm’s approach.

“Earlier this week, the Government allocated $200 million to support emergency works such as drain cleaning and road clearance. Given the growing threat from Tropical Storm Melissa, we have now added another $200 million, bringing the total allocation to $400 million,” said Morgan.

“This proactive step will ensure that constituencies can scale up readiness activities to protect lives, property, and infrastructure before the storm’s impact.”

The funds are being deployed through the National Works Agency (NWA) to constituencies islandwide, enabling Members of Parliament and local teams to carry out urgent pre-impact works in vulnerable areas, he said.

Morgan noted that all constituencies are expected to be in a heightened state of readiness, with resources already being channelled through the NWA for immediate execution of critical activities such as drain cleaning, debushing, and the clearing of blocked roadways.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.