WRECKED TOO SOON
McKenzie stunned after Melissa rips apart newly built section of infirmary, other facilities for the poor in Westmoreland
Published:Friday | December 5, 2025 | 12:45 AMMickalia Kington/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says he is “deeply disappointed” with the construction quality of the relatively new male ward Savanna-la-Mar Infirmary in Westmoreland, which sustained major damage during Hurricane Melissa, and has ordered urgent repairs and a large-scale clean-up.
While touring the facility on Wednesday, McKenzie said the building, funded by the National Housing Trust and announced in his first sectoral presentation in 2016, should not have deteriorated so quickly.
Opened in April 2023, it was built at a cost of $53 million.
“It took almost eight years to build it, and when I came here today and saw the quality of the work, the poor workmanship, I am deeply disappointed,” he said.
He added that the contract is now under review to determine whether the contractor can be required to correct the deficiencies.
Citing failures of oversight, McKenzie said taxpayer money was wasted.
“Taxpayers’ money has been spent, but the work was not done, and I have to hold the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation and the ministry’s technical team … responsible for the fact that a building that is not even three years old has experienced a level of damage that the building has experienced,” he lamented.
With male and female infirmary residents now sharing space with homeless persons displaced from the damaged Westmoreland Association for Street People (WASP) shelter, McKenzie said the situation is “unacceptable” but unavoidable for now. Repairs to the WASP facility will begin immediately, including roof replacement and upgrades to ease overcrowding on the female ward.
Recovery, he warned, will be difficult.
“Based on the size of the facility, based on the numbers and the level of destruction … these buildings are extremely old,” he noted.
Meanwhile, McKenzie said the emergency-procurement system would be used to fast-track roof repairs.
“I have asked the technical team to give me two options – one, to slab the roof in its entirety, or [two], to do a portion of it.”
McKenzie, joined by Mayor Danree Delancy, said rebuilding efforts must begin at once.
He also announced a parish-wide mobilisation for Saturday, December 13, designated as a special clean-up day for the infirmary, supported by the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, municipal partners, and the local member of parliament (MP).
Restoring dignified conditions for staff and residents, he said, is a top priority.
“So at least the staff who work here can feel a little bit more appreciated; they can feel more comfortable,” McKenzie said.
He noted that the Poor Relief Building, already declared unsafe, has now been “severely compromised” and awaits a technical assessment.
Comparing the damage to other facilities, he said Savanna-la-Mar was among the worst affected infirmaries.
“This is the third infirmary that I visited, and I can compare Falmouth, which really doesn’t exist again, and this as the two worst-affected infirmaries,” he noted.
Work at Falmouth is progressing, with procurement completed for containerised units and foundation work expected to start shortly.
McKenzie confirmed that the national post-hurricane clean-up begins Friday in Westmoreland Eastern. MPs from heavily affected constituencies have been briefed, and he expects full cooperation.
Addressing tensions at the Petersfield High School shelter – where some displaced residents are resisting relocation to temporary tents – McKenzie urged patience. The shelter must close by the end of December so the school can prepare for January reopening. He added that Melissa’s unprecedented force demands flexibility.
““They have to understand that we have never experienced a Category 5 hurricane before. Melissa should have taught us one lesson: that we have to make do with what we have until better comes.”