ST JAMES, Jamaica — Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, says emergency work is to begin immediately at the Westmoreland Infirmary, as the Government moves to restore critical sections of the facility heavily damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

The minister made the disclosure after a tour of the facility on December 3, where he examined structural damage to the male and female wards, and the building previously used to house the parish’s homeless population.

Work will begin at once to restore the roof and rehabilitate the dedicated homeless facility, which was compromised during the hurricane and forced residents into shared quarters.

“The facility that housed the homeless population… that is something which is unacceptable. Work will commence immediately to start to repair the facility for the homeless, to put on back the roof, to get the place fixed up, so that we can relocate those persons… back into their space,” the minister said.

McKenzie disclosed that emergency procurement measures will be utilised to fast-track major roof repairs to the infirmary’s newest building.

“We’re going to be using the emergency procurement system to commence the work to repair the roofing of the new building. I have asked the technical team to give me two options, one to slab the roof in its entirety or to do a portion of it, so I’m looking at the options that are available,” he outlined.

McKenzie added that remedial works would also be carried out on the female ward to make it more comfortable, while longer-term rehabilitation is planned.

The minister noted that the age of the structures remains a major factor in the complexity of the recovery effort.

“It is going to be challenging based on the size of the facility, based on the numbers, and the level of destruction that has taken place. We have to also remember that the structural competence of the facility is something that has to be taken into consideration,” he noted.

McKenzie also indicated that several staff members were personally affected by the hurricane and assured them that the necessary administrative and welfare support will be provided directly at the infirmary.

“I know several of them have lost their homes and have to be staying here, and that is something that we are concerned about,” he said.

“We are going to bring the investigating team here to them… so that they can be investigated and the steps are taken immediately to start to deal with what is required for them,” McKenzie said.

–          JIS