ROCKY POINT, Clarendon — Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr has issued a warning to people who he says are entering his hurricane-battered Clarendon South Eastern constituency under the guise of distributing aid only to be collecting from the persons on the receiving end.

“I am hearing some things on the road in relation to persons coming into the space to give help who have gotten material, that is to go to the residents — but I want to warn that any material that is supposed to be for the benefit of a resident, any resident that has to pay for that material…people will be locked up. I will make sure a report is made to the authorities because as a country we are going to be judged on how we treat people who need it the most,” said a militant Charles Jr.

“At times like this when people need the help, anybody who is going to come in here and manipulate it and use it against the people, you have another thing coming. Every single cent that is for the people of Rocky Point, Portland Cottage, and across the nation is [to be] spent on them. This is not the time to be thinking selfishly.

“Let this be a warning. Jamaica is a strong democracy and we welcome support from anybody who is willing to give it but when you come here you will fall in line with the protocol set by Jamaica and if you are coming to give support, give the support with a willing heart and not an extended hand,” added Charles Jr.

He was speaking at a function at the Rocky Point Community Centre on Monday as the Government started the distribution of 10,000 hurricane roof straps to residents of Rocky Point and nearby areas in Clarendon that were severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

Speaking at the function Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie assured the residents that the hurricane roof straps are free and declared that there will be some amount of accountability in the distribution process.

“The Government has to ensure that the things we are giving to those who have been affected is not given out with your right hand and you receive something in your left hand. The 10,000 hurricane straps are free, you have to pay no money for it, no money at all it is free. I want to appeal to those of you, this is not for exchange and the persons who get these hurricane straps the MC [municipal corporation] will have a record of it and you can’t put on the roof without these hurricane straps,” said McKenzie.

He told the residents that going forward, as part of the approval process, the local authorities will be insisting that any roof to be installed using ply and zinc must have straps to help secure them.