WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Despite residents of Petersfield who sought refuge at the Petersfield High School, claiming that they have nowhere to go and the suggested relocation venue being unideal, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has insisted that the building must be vacated in time for the preparation of the start of school for January.

Westmoreland is one of five parishes that were devastated by the passage of Hurricane Melissa, a category five storm in October.

“I am going to emphasise, and I’m going to say very, very, slowly. The end of December will be the deadline for this shelter to be wound up so that the school can commence preparation to start school in January,” stated McKenzie following a visit to the Petersfield High School shelter in this parish on Wednesday.

During the tour, McKenzie outlined a four-tiered relocation plan for the shelter occupants. First on the list is the relocation of senior citizens currently utilising the shelter.

“There are a number of elderly persons here that we will make provisions for once they are willing to be housed at the infirmary, where they will be taken care of on a 24-hour basis,” stated McKenzie

The minister also informed that the government is willing to facilitate in other classes the relocation of the residents to family and friends who are willing to accommodate them.

Thirdly, McKenzie said support will be available for those who were paying rent before the storm but lost shelter.

The final option will see the establishment of a camp utilising tents on a playground opposite the school. He said the tents will be erected by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), where all the facilities that will be required, including bedding, bathrooms and toilets, will be put in place.

“The number one option is that for persons who don’t find themselves in any of the categories outlined, then the playfield over there will be converted into an area where the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) will come and a number of tents will be put down,” stated McKenzie, who noted that, “The same service that is provided here will be provided over on that facility.”

“Let me be frank with you, there is no other solution available now outside of the ones that I have just outlined to you,” added the minister, who noted, “don’t let anyone else tell you that there is another option.”

Despite the options placed on the table, this did not go down well for some of the residents.

According to one resident who gave her name as Trishauna, the suggested location is not safe and is swamped whenever it rains.

“Mi have mi three kids them, Mi not going ah ball ground fi man come rape off my child over there. It’s not easy. If ah suh dem ah guh treat black people, mi nuh want no help from dem. Mi will battle it out back,” argued Trishauna.

The woman who noted that she had built her house on her own said it would have been better if McKenzie had suggested assistance in helping people to get a shelter over their heads.

“Ah, that him fi ask. Who ah go over ball ground? Why him nuh come take him family guh over deh and him will see how it feels. When rain falls, over deh suh a swamp,” added Trishauna.

— Anthony Lewis