Seiveright hails corporate Jamaica’s massive post-Melissa response
Published:Saturday | November 29, 2025 | 12:05 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Delano Seiveright, state minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, is applauding what he describes as “one of the strongest private-sector mobilisations in recent memory”, as corporate Jamaica steps up in force to help pull the country out of the wreckage left by Hurricane Melissa.
The Category 5 storm, now the most powerful hurricane on record to hit Jamaica, flattened homes, shredded infrastructure, and crippled utilities across the southwestern and western parishes.
Yet, from the moment the all clear was sounded, the government moved at pace to reopen airports, clear major corridors, and press utilities into an aggressive restoration campaign, according to Seiveright. That strategy has already produced rapid national gains with well over 70 per cent of electricity and water customers reportedly back on the grid, while more than 80 per cent of telecommunications users, especially mobile customers, have seen their service restored.
Major commercial towns and corridors, including Ocho Rios, sections of Montego Bay, and crucial tourism and industrial zones, have been re-energised, protecting thousands of jobs and bolstering early economic stabilisation efforts.
But Seiveright said the story of recovery cannot be told without recognising the extraordinary role of the private sector.
“Hurricane Melissa brought unprecedented destruction, but the response from corporate Jamaica shows the very best of who we are,” he told The Gleaner. “Their partnership with government and community organisations is helping to rebuild lives, restart businesses, and put the country firmly back on the path to full recovery.”
In almost every sector – food manufacturing, banking, retail, tourism, construction, logistics, and telecommunications — companies unleashed robust relief operations. Major brands delivered emergency food supplies, supported responders with accommodation and logistics, rolled out financial relief options, and supplied rebuilding materials such as generators, tarpaulins, water tanks, and roofing items.
Parallel initiatives from manufacturers, distributors, hotel groups, fleet operators, small and medium enterprise networks and telecom providers have reinforced the national push, helping utilities and government agencies tackle critical needs ranging from electricity and water restoration to mobile connectivity, transportation access, and the reopening of commercial districts.
Seiveright stressed that relief, economic recovery, and business continuity must advance simultaneously to protect livelihoods and accelerate national rebound. He noted the government’s ongoing partnership with utility companies, ODPEM, the National Works Agency, municipal corporations, and private groups to restore full functionality across the worst-affected parishes.
He is urging corporate entities to remain engaged throughout the reconstruction phase.
“We still need companies to continue supporting vulnerable communities, strengthening supply chains, backing small and medium enterprises, and investing in long-term resilience,” he said.