Shelter residents given until end of year to vacate Petersfield High ahead of new school term

Residents taking refuge at Petersfield High School were told yesterday that they must prepare to relocate by the end of December, as the institution begins its clean-up ahead of the January school term.

Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and community development, who toured the Petersfield shelter, the Westmoreland Infirmary and the Savanna-la-Mar Market, addressed dozens of displaced residents, stressing that the transition was unavoidable.

“This facility, by the end of December, will have to be relocated so that the school can retake possession, clean up and get ready for the school term in January,” he said.

McKenzie explained that the Government had already assessed multiple strategies to ease the pressure on the shelter population. While none offered a permanent fix, he assured residents that every option was designed to help them conduct safe moving.

“We have looked at a couple of options that we are going to be using to alleviate the problem. We are asking for your full cooperation,” he said. “What is going to be done will not be the permanent fix but a temporary fix until the permanent repairs and rebuilding have started.”

The minister outlined a four-tiered relocation plan, beginning with the most vulnerable.

“The easy ones first… there are a number of elderly persons here that we will make provisions for once they are willing to be housed at the infirmary, where they will be taken care of on a 24-hour basis… where better care and attention can be given to them,” McKenzie noted.

He encouraged residents with relatives or friends willing to accommodate them to consider that option, assuring them that the Government will help to facilitate that.

For those who were paying rent before the storm but lost their housing, McKenzie said support would be available.

“Those who were paying rent and the unit was destroyed and you can find somewhere else to rent, but perhaps (you) might not be able to meet it … that is an option we will consider as a part of the relocation exercise.”

The final option is for individuals who do not fall into any of the other categories and will involve a temporary encampment.

“The number one option is that for persons who don’t find themselves in any of the categories outlined, then the playfield over there will be converted into an area where the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) will come and a number of tents will be put down…constructed by the JDF, and put in all the facilities that will be required, including bedding, bathrooms and toilets,” he said.

“The same service that is provided here will be provided over on that facility.”

McKenzie was straightforward about the limits of the Government’s capacity.

“Let me be frank with you, there is no other solution available now outside of the ones that I have just outlined to you… . Don’t let anyone else tell you that there is another option.”

Even while exploring new ideas, he warned that those are not going to be possible. Reminding residents, he said, “Learning has taken a beating and the children need to get back to school." Relocation preparations, he said, would be started immediately on Wednesday.

To speed up the transition, McKenzie announced that 50 Youth Summer Employment Programme workers will be deployed through the Social Development Commission and the Ministry of Labour to conduct assessments of each resident, working alongside the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the municipal corporation.

“I understand that there is a list already, but we will need also to make sure that there aren’t any duplications,” he said.

He made it clear that only those officially listed as shelter residents would qualify for relocation support.

“If your name is not in the list of persons in the shelter, you do not qualify for any of the things I just outlined.”

Residents with partially damaged homes will also be assessed for possible rehabilitation.

“If you live somewhere and we go with you and your house can be repaired for you to go back in for the time being, I outlined that as an option,” he said.

“If you have a house still standing without a roof and there are repairs to be done, we will facilitate that.”

However, for those who are left without a structure at all, the minister re-emphasised what he outlined earlier.

“If you don’t have a house that is standing and you don’t have anywhere to go, then relocating across the playfield is the next option that you have.”

McKenzie also urged families to undergo the process together to facilitate a more organised process, saying, “When you are doing what you’re doing, we need your family to be with you. You cannot do one for yourself and another part for your family.”

He also committed to returning to the parish on Friday, noting that teams would be ready to conduct on-site assessments with residents.

“Those who will be available, we will be making a team ready by Friday so we can go to the locations where you live, so we can make an assessment of what needs to be done.”

Last, the minister thanked Petersfield High School’s administration for sacrificing their space and time during a challenging school period.

“Since the principal is here, I want to say a big thank you. I know it’s a major sacrifice … because I know that this time of the year you have exams and other deadlines to be met,” he said.

He urged residents to take into consideration the requirements of the students who are sitting examinations at this time.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment, McKenzie said: “The Government is here to assist you. We will work with everybody to do what is necessary to relocate you, to help to clean up the school so that come January morning, school can return.”

He then re-emphasised that the administration would continue to support residents through the transition.

“This Government of Dr Andrew Holness would not have a problem if 20 of you want a mattress to sleep on in the process. But I’m saying to you, work with us, and we will work with you."

mickalia.kington@gleanerjm.com