Dear Editor,

I am concerned by what seems to be a troubling pattern: The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has repeatedly acknowledged the threat of active hurricane seasons and allocated funds for gullies, drains, and flood mitigation, yet we saw rushed, last-minute work on major drainage systems that should have been maintained consistently.

In May 2024 Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness reminded Jamaicans to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Reports indicate that the GOJ also announced hundreds of millions of dollars in mitigation funding for critical infrastructure ahead of the 2025 season.

Previous infrastructure allocations reportedly included:

• Funding in 2024 for cleaning major gullies, drains, and roadways

• Additional funding in 2025 for repairs and upgrades to the national gully network and other flood-management works

However, in October 2025 the GOJ was “racing” to clear Sandy Gully in the Corporate Area, just days before Category 5 Hurricane Melissa was expected to hit. Minister without portfolio with responsibility for works Robert Morgan described this work as a “temporary measure” pending a multi-billion-dollar rehabilitation project, and noted in recent press conferences that major rehabilitation is planned for 2026.

While long-term projects are important, the last-minute clearing raises serious concerns. Sandy Gully is a major waterway, a key channel carrying storm water from the Corporate Area to the sea. Basic maintenance should have been carried out well in advance rather than relying on a rushed effort just days before the storm. The public is expected to take precautions, evacuate if necessary, and respond responsibly. It is reasonable to expect the same proactive approach from the Government when it comes to critical infrastructure. Waiting until a storm is imminent undermines both safety and public confidence.

If warnings came early and funds were allocated, why wasn’t proactive, sustained maintenance carried out? Why were major gullies and drains, critical to flood resilience, still left vulnerable to predictable heavy rainfall?

Blocked or poorly maintained gullies turn heavy rain into a disaster: flood water cannot flow, silt and debris reduce capacity, and communities are exposed. Preventive maintenance is far cheaper than emergency repairs or disaster response.

The public deserves transparency and accountability; therefore, I recommend the following:

• Publish a maintenance schedule and audit for major gullies and drains detailing last clearance, next scheduled clearance, and budget allocation.

• Track and report allocated funds: How much has been spent, where, and what remains.

• Keep communities near vulnerable gullies informed of progress and timelines.

• Commit to regular maintenance between storms, not just emergency, rushed clearing.

Minister, this rush was unacceptable. The Government’s early warning and budget allocation were correct and necessary. What remains is proof of implementation — showing we are prepared before storms hit, not only reacting after the danger is upon us.

Nahor T

nahor4321@gmail.com