KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie is reporting that some construction companies and crane operators have moved to secure their cranes as Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall on the island Monday evening into Tuesday morning.

“The issue around the question of cranes that I raised, the city engineer for the KSMAC [Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation] have been engaging contractors and I understand that there is a method that is used in the industry that would allow the cranes to remain. I’m not a technical person. What I do know is that I noticed at least two of the ones that I spoke about were taken down and I want to commend them for that,” McKenzie said.

He was speaking at a press conference held at the Office of Disaster and Emergency Preparedness (ODPEM) on Monday.

McKenzie had warned previously that unsecured construction materials can quickly become deadly projectiles in high winds, posing a serious threat to lives and property. He stressed that the government’s priority is to minimise preventable damage and safeguard communities as the hurricane approaches.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has also made an appeal to construction companies and crane operators to lower and secure erected cranes.