KINGSTON, Jamaica— Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Natalie Neita Garvey, is calling on Minister of Local Government, Desmond McKenzie to examine what she describes as “the obvious failure of the country’s disaster response mechanisms, led by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)”, following Monday’s earthquake.

In a statement Tuesday morning, Neita Garvey alleged that the country did not receive any communication from ODPEM until late Monday evening, after the magnitude 5.6 earthquake.

READ: WATCH: Minor damage after magnitude 5.6 earthquake, says Holness – PM urges Jamaicans to remain calm

She emphasised that the Disaster Risk Management Act, which was passed in 2015 entrusts the Office with significant responsibilities in Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and emergency response management.

“The principal purpose of the ODPEM is to advance disaster preparedness and emergency management measures by facilitating and coordinating the development and implementation of integrated disaster management systems and instituting measures to mitigate disasters,” Neita Garvey said.

She stated that for up to six hours after the earthquake, there was no sign of activity from the ODPEM, and there was no evidence of any coordination of first responders, whose duty is to provide efficient responses.

She went on to commend the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Fire Brigade, public hospitals and Jamaica Public Service Company workers, who, the Opposition spokesperson said, worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to restore normality.

Neita Garvey expressed concern that “due to the failure to coordinate the agencies and present accurate preliminary reports, the country experienced the spectacle of the Prime Minister informing the country that damage was minor while reports of infrastructure and housing damage, and school closures were being broadcast by media”.

As a result, she is calling on McKenzie “to ensure that the country’s response mechanism is thoroughly reviewed, and steps taken to correct all weaknesses that may prevent ODPEM from fulfilling its mandate, according to law, as the Jamaican people expect no less,” the statement said.