PNP’s Region Six RMC demands urgent western Jamaica recovery, transparency in NaRRA spending

WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) Region Six Regional Management Committee (RMC) is calling for urgent assistance for disaster-affected communities across western Jamaica, while demanding greater transparency in the spending of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). The committee, which met at Belmont Academy in Westmoreland on Saturday, October 10, unanimously adopted a resolution raising concerns about the pace of recovery efforts and the Government’s proposed administrative expenditure for NaRRA. According to the RMC, households, churches, schools, farmers and businesses across the region continue to grapple with damaged infrastructure, displacement and inadequate assistance. The committee expressed particular concern about vulnerable families who remain without proper shelter, even as questions persist over the cost of establishing NaRRA’s headquarters. Among the expenditures being questioned is the proposed rental of Digicel’s premises in downtown Kingston at a reported annual cost of $115 million. While acknowledging that the Government has indicated plans to scale back the arrangement, the RMC said the revised cost, scope and justification remain unclear. It is demanding full disclosure of the proposed lease arrangements, including rental costs, space requirements, lease duration, refurbishment expenses and other financial commitments. The committee is also calling for the salaries, allowances and other benefits of NaRRA’s chief executive officer, corporate secretary, senior executives and board members to be made public. Citing Section 4(4) of the NaRRA Act, which requires the authority to utilise existing government resources where lawful and practicable, the RMC questioned whether sufficient consideration had been given to publicly owned facilities. It specifically identified the Montego Bay Convention Centre as a possible headquarters, arguing that a location in western Jamaica could better serve communities affected by the disaster. The committee wants a transparent assessment of the facility’s suitability, security, accessibility, operational capacity and cost, along with an explanation of why a western Jamaica location was not prioritised. It further argued that any concerns about the condition or suitability of existing government buildings should be independently documented and costed before expensive private accommodation is approved. Meanwhile, the RMC is urging the Government to publish a comprehensive recovery plan outlining available funding, responsible agencies and firm timelines for delivering assistance to affected communities. It said immediate priority must be given to families left homeless or living under damaged roofs, through the provision of emergency shelter, temporary housing, roofing materials and essential repairs. The committee also wants regular public reports detailing disaster-recovery expenditure, implementation progress and measurable outcomes to allow citizens to track how public funds are being used. It warned against what it described as “vulgar and ostentatious administrative expenditure” while disaster-affected Jamaicans remain without adequate shelter and basic assistance. “The people of western Jamaica deserve a recovery effort marked by urgency, fairness and accountability. Every expenditure must be justified against that responsibility, and NaRRA’s headquarters should be located where it can best serve affected communities,” the committee said. The RMC said copies of its resolution will be forwarded to the prime minister, the minister of finance, the minister responsible for reconstruction, NaRRA’s leadership and the leader of the Opposition.