The Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) and the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) have extended high commendations to the Government, the Meteorological Service and the various agencies and departments for their co-ordinated, prompt and efficient response to the threats from Hurricane Matthew.

“The actions of the national disaster response team were decisive and inspired confidence in the level of Jamaica’s preparedness,” the JMA said in a news release, adding that it was “distinctly pleased by the highly effective precautionary measures that were put in place for a hurricane the magnitude of Matthew.”

Up to early Monday Matthew was on course for Jamaica but slowly drifted east to bypass the island before slamming into the south-western tip of Haiti where it unleashed death and huge damage to property and infrastructure.

Throughout the days leading up to Monday, the Government, Met Service and State agencies kept advising Jamaicans to prepare for the possibility of the hurricane hitting Jamaica.

However, after it became clear that the island was spared the hurricane’s fury, some people started complaining the Government caused them to make preparations for nothing, and accused the Met Service of wrong forecasting.

The JMA said that the Government and the requisite agencies were effective in communicating critical mitigating information to the public and must be applauded.

“This approach to preparing and responding to the potential disaster presents an important model for building resilience in the event of other natural disasters and calamities. The JMA continues to emphasise the value and importance of disaster preparedness. We must all embrace the need to be ready for any challenges Mother Nature may or may not throw our way,” the JMA said.

The IMAJ, in its news release, congratulated the Government for the preparations it made to mitigate, as much as possible, the potentially disastrous impact Hurricane Matthew would have had on the island.

“Special credit goes to Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and community development; the National Meteorological Service; Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management; and the National Works Agency for their sterling work,” the IMAJ said, adding that shelter managers and other volunteers should also take credit.