KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding says the devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa demands a united national effort, not political division.

He stressed that this is “not the time for the Opposition to operate in a manner to score political points as a political competitor of the Government”, adding, “we are trying our very best to not operate in the spirit of that”.

However, Golding said it is necessary to highlight areas where improvements are needed in strengthening the national response.

“I suggested to the Prime Minister that he should establish a board-based taskforce to be given the responsibility of government oversight over the relief effort, the relief coming in, how it is managed, how it is dealt with, and to those who are managing it, so some accountability is there,” Golding said during a media briefing on Monday.

He also called for a clear command structure to guide the daily management of the national recovery effort.

“That should be led, in my opinion, by the professionals in disaster management not by politicians who do not know the ins and outs of responding to a disaster of this magnitude,” he said.

“We should not be shy of seeking international support and help from persons who have career expertise and experience in this regard.”

Golding further urged the development of what he described as a “Marshall Plan” for Jamaica’s recovery.

“A well-funded, broad-based plan for the rebuilding and construction of large parts of Jamaica which have been ravished by this hurricane,” he said.

He added that while such a plan cannot be developed overnight, “it is vital that we prepare such a plan and that it has the inputs of persons who have the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to design a comprehensive, workable plan that can be executed efficiently and that can have the confidence of our international partners that we are going to rely on heavily to provide financial support for this.”

The opposition leader also disclosed that he has asked the prime minister to make an additional allocation to Members of Parliament to help them mobilise communities and contractors to clean up devastated areas.

Golding said he supports the Government’s decision to suspend import duties on disaster relief items but believes “the period is too short”. He also called for a national evacuation plan, noting that many Jamaicans remain without shelter.

“Because right now many, many Jamaicans are exposed to the elements, including babies, including children, including elderly, including persons with disabilities and they need to be moved to accommodations which protects them from the ravages of the elements going forward,” Golding said.