KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesperson on Local Government, Noel Arscott, is applauding the efforts of the mayors as chairpersons of the Parish Disaster Committees, for their tireless efforts in seeing to the readiness of the parishes for the possible onslaught of the impending Hurricane Matthew.

He said in a news release yesterday: “Their commitment to the safety and well being of the people of Jamaica is unquestionable and should be commended.” 

The former minister while also noting the start of drain cleaning by the government, expressed concern about its lateness and the seemingly inadequate level of cleaning that has taken place, “relative to the kind of precipitation that is expected from the weather system”, should the country be affected. 

In the meantime, Arscott is calling on Jamaicans to listen to and follow instructions of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

“We should not take this threat lightly, as the system is quite large and Jamaica will be affected in some way,” he said. “For my own constituency, the residents of Clarendon and Jamaica as a whole, I urge everyone to take all steps to remain safe and to take care of their families and neighbours.”