MONTEGO BAY, St James — Beneficiaries of home repair grants were on Friday urged to use the help to fix damage left by Hurricane Beryl instead of swapping the material for cash.

“Do not go and exchange with the hardware for money,” warned chief executive officer (CEO) of the St James Municipal Corporation Naudia Crosskill.

“Don’t do it, don’t do it. We are making sacrifices to provide you with this assistance. Please use it for its intended purpose.”

She was speaking to some of the 119 individuals from across the 17 political divisions in the parish who have benefitted from a combined total of $5 million.

“I know you are very appreciative of what we are doing here for you today but I also know that you have persons who can be very misguided at times and instead of taking the benefit and using it for its intended purpose, they try to do otherwise. I am imploring, use the benefit for the intended purpose,” Crosskill urged.

Individuals were presented with letters that they can present to approved hardware stores which then provide material needed for their home repairs. Checks and balances are said to be built into the process.

“When we come and do our post-visit, we can see that what it was intended for, it was used for that purpose,” said Crosskill.

Hurricane Beryl impacted Jamaica in early July leaving a trail of damage in its wake in several parishes. Many people lost their roofs and many, like Lilliput resident George Spence, are still struggling to recover.

“My house got damaged on the roof and the wall. I am going to focus on the kitchen because that is where the stuff fell on the roof and damaged it,” he told the Jamaica Observer after Friday’s ceremony.

The support, he explained, comes at a time when he is going through a rough time.

“I’m kinda sick, got a stroke just after Beryl, the next day after, and I have a long stairs to climb up,” he revealed.

Granville resident Everton Patterson is also focused on repairing his roof.

“My house top blow off, all of it blow off. The roof is the most important thing right now,” he said.

“There is some other damage but I can maintain those myself. The roof is most important,” he reiterated.

Hyacinth Barnaby, who lives in Gilsboro district, was happy for the help as she has challenges at home.

“I have my son because he’s sick and I have my grandson and I have two family [members] there. The storm blow off the windows, my roof get damaged as well as the kitchen and the bathroom; outside bathroom I have,” she explained.

She said she is grateful for the support provided by the local authorities. Mayor Richard Vernon conceded that it may not solve all the problems being faced, but it is a start.

“I am happy that we are able to find some money to help you with this relief and I hope that it will provide the intended relief. I know that it won’t fix everything but it can bring you to a certain area, especially that which you have asked for,” he said.

“If you requested 100 per cent and you get 50, 60 or 70 per cent, it can carry you somewhere,” he added.

CEO of the St James Municipal Corporation Naudia Crosskill warned beneficiaries not to exchange goods for cash.