KINGSTON, Jamaica — A meeting of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Central Executive is set to get underway in St Andrew on Sunday morning with discussions expected to focus on intensifying efforts to assist Jamaicans to recover stronger from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.

From just before 10:00 am, senior members of the JLP began filing into the party’s Belmont Road headquarters. Those in attendance at the meeting include Member of Parliament for St Mary West, Robert Montague, who as party chairman is expected to marshal proceedings.

JLP Communication Taskforce Chairman, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, spoke to media personnel at Belmont Road just before entering the meeting.

“Since the general election which took place on September 3, today is the first meeting of the Central Executive which is our party’s highest decision-making body apart from the annual conference. The conference was cancelled this year. Of course, discussions might well involve events during and after the general election but there is something more important to discuss,” Fitz-Henley said.

According to Fitz-Henley, the main focus of the Central Executive will be discussions centred on improving efforts to help Jamaicans who are facing major challenges following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

“It is true that approximately 70 per cent of the country has had their running water restored and electricity has been reconnected to about 80 per cent of our population but we are sensitive to the fact that those percentages mean nothing to those who are without the important services. Additionally, many small businesses have been destroyed or significantly impaired. Therefore, the Central Executive is expected to focus on brainstorming additional ideas to assist our population to restore normality to their lives and to build back stronger,” he said.

Fitz-Henley said the party is aware that Christmas and the New Year are “just around the corner” and are fully intent on doing what they can “to bring as much convenience to the lives of our people as is possible”.

In terms of political activity, he said the governing party is sensitive to the fact that it cannot be business as usual.

“Look, this is a time of great challenge for many of our Jamaica brothers and sisters and as the pre-eminent political institution in the country, the Jamaica Labour Party recognises and takes our duty seriously to assist and be in solidarity with our people as they encounter adversity,” Fitz-Henley said.

Prime Minister and JLP Leader Dr Andrew Holness is reportedly scheduled to deliver the main address at the meeting of the Central Executive.