Gov’t of Jamaica’s most challenging task

THE EDITOR, Madam:

With Jamaica set to receive a massive and unprecedented inflow of funds from numerous international.lending institutions, management and expenditure of those funds must be done with surgical precision, meticulous planning, and flawless execution. One misstep could place Jamaica on the precipice of financial ruin. As such, the best and brightest engineers, architects, masons, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, town planners and contractors must be sought and employed to rebuild the infrastructure of the towns and cities that Hurricane Melissa destroyed.

Corners must not be cut and best practices must be employed, throughout the rebuilding process. During the latter, zinc fences and/or roofs should be avoided and instead concrete and/or high-grade aluminium metal roofs should be used. Grade A blocks, as opposed to Grade B ones, should be used. Concrete roads, as opposed to asphalt ones, should be built. Concrete and/or metal light posts should be used, as opposed to wooden ones. Hurricane/bulletproof glass should be used, in homes and commercial buildings. All this throughout the rebuilding process, wherever and whenever possible.

The mammoth task of rebuilding and reigniting Jamaica’s commercial, residential and agricultural sectors, in the hardest-hit parishes, while ensuring that Jamaica regains a strong economic footing. Servicing and shouldering its soon-to-be-massive debt burden will be the Holness-led administration’s most challenging task to date.

God bless us all, and God bless Jamaica.

PATRICK GALLIMORE

pagalley@protonmail.com