Press Release From JIS, October 31 (JIS):
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| Mayor Richard Vernon. |
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, has called for a State of Public Emergency (SOE) to be declared in St. James to support post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, citing the need for improved order, security, and control.
Speaking with JIS News following an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) meeting at the St. James Municipal Corporation on Thursday (October 30), Mayor Vernon said the current situation on the ground remains chaotic, with heavy traffic congestion and increased public movement slowing restoration work.
“We cannot continue the restoration under these conditions. We need a state of public emergency to slow things down a little bit and get our officers in critical positions of restoration, rather than paying attention to traffic,” he emphasised.
Councillor Vernon, who also chairs the Municipal Corporation, noted that an SOE would allow emergency and first responders to operate more efficiently and clear blocked roadways without interference.
“We need our first responders to carry out their duties and our units to clear roadways without being interrupted by vehicles,” he said.
The Mayor reported that St. James has incurred losses amounting to billions of dollars, with extensive damage to public infrastructure, private property, and essential services.
“But we can turn around. We just need the necessary support… national, regional, international, and community support… to get this done,” he maintained.
Councillor Vernon further noted that the declaration of emergency powers would support the stabilisation of the parish and expedite the restoration of essential services such as electricity, water, and telecommunications.
“I am doubling down on the call for that state of emergency. If it is not yet called, I am calling for it, and if it is called, I am welcoming it, because it is needed now so that we can move forward,” he underscored.
Editor's Note
Businessman Mark Kerr-Jarrett has also made the call for a state of emergency.
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I would imagine that a State of Emergency would have been issued from the moment we witnessed the devastation! What is taking so long to get ourselves organised, develop a plan to systematically get information from Councillors and community leaders, dispatch soldiers to the various communities to establish some semblance of order, how to deal with dead animals (hopefully no civilian deaths), is there some place in the community that can be a central meeting place! What is happening???
ReplyDeleteWHERE ARE OUR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TEAMS? Where are their plans to move forward?
Come on Jamaica, our people are depending on you, their lives are at stake.
God Help Us.
Interesting. It seems obvious that there was no well thought out plan for this disaster. After the disrespectful showdown of the speaker of the house on the Wednesday before the hurricane and a few hand outs for drain cleaning the Thursday when Melissa was at our doorstep speaks for itself.Drains cleaning and tree trimming should have been done before the start of the hurricane season. That is part of proper maintenance of the important infrastructure for effective water management during this storm season.
ReplyDeleteWe have been wondering what is going on. Is it that the government and its advisors are asleep? All areas with major impact should be under a State of Emergency
ReplyDeleteThis is quite the disaster! Melissa happened, what's this? Melissa 2.0? It's obvious the operation is organized. Saving lives and getting people to a basic level of normalcy are paramount.
ReplyDeleteMore hands on deck, the faster the people will get the help they need. More boots on the road is what is needed. They are saying the traffic is blocking the roads, and preventing them from doing their work. I don't think so. It's a fall guy for the inefficiencies they are seeking. Sad, but what can we do?
We can rush out there, More organized, and more strategic in our efforts. Passing everything through the government will only slow down the clock while people suffer and die. Remove the operations out of the government's hand and let the ODPEM, JDF, JCF, and any similar take charge.
* they are not organized
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