Campbell hails ROOFS grants, urges stronger housing in Westmoreland Eastern

WESTERN BUREAU:

Dr Dayton Campbell, the member of parliament (MP) for Westmoreland Eastern, says the Government’s Restoration of Owners or Occupants of Family Shelter (ROOFS) Programme represents the most significant support yet for residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking with The Gleaner following last week’s presentation of cheques, QR codes, and debit cards to beneficiaries from affected communities, Campbell noted that persons who suffered severe damage, including the complete loss of their dwelling, stand to receive $500,000 in assistance. Those with major and minor damage will also receive financial support under the programme.

“This is possibly the most significant help to persons who have suffered severe damage, meaning that they lost their dwelling,” Campbell said. “It will go a far way in restoring persons with some dignity.”

The MP was referencing the approximately $787.5 million that will be distributed among 4,741 Westmoreland residents who are now benefiting from the ROOFS initiative, part of the Shelter Recovery Programme being administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

He added that the structured disbursement, including an initial $75,000 from the larger grants, provides flexibility for families who may have already begun repairs but lost household items during the hurricane.

Campbell said efforts have been made to ensure that as many residents as possible are assessed. He explained that communication channels, including a community WhatsApp group administered with the assistance of local representatives, have been used to identify individuals who may have been overlooked.

“I’ve been sending out messages to persons and asking those individuals who have not yet been assessed to forward their information so I can share it,” he said, noting that the majority of affected residents in Eastern Westmoreland have already been evaluated.

Campbell, who is also the general secretary of the People’s National Party, acknowledged that Westmoreland’s high number of board houses contributed to the scale of destruction, particularly as the parish bore the brunt of a Category 5 system.

“Board houses are not going to be able to withstand those winds,” he said, urging residents to transition to concrete structures and to consider more secure roofing options where possible.

He called for local authorities to facilitate building permits, and encouraged volunteer groups to assist in erecting stronger structures capable of withstanding at least a Category 4 hurricane.

“We do not want to be in this situation again in the near future,” he stressed.

Turning to electricity restoration, Campbell said he had always anticipated that power would not be fully restored in Eastern Westmoreland until April, in line with projections from the Jamaica Public Service Company.

He dismissed earlier expectations of a February timeline as unrealistic, citing the extensive infrastructural damage.

“Almost all the poles were down,” Campbell said, noting that approximately 17,000 persons remain without electricity, with only a small number currently being served by mobile generators.

However, he expressed optimism that some areas, including Whitehouse and surrounding communities, could see restoration by the end of the month, based on updates received.

In the interim, mobile generators are being deployed to critical locations such as schools, clinics, police stations, and business centres to help restart commerce and support essential services.

“We’re trying to cover the main areas so that we can at least restart commerce and get people back to their livelihoods,” Campbell said.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com