KINGSTON, Jamaica —Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has expressed gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its unwavering support to Jamaica and its people in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated sections of the island.

“The Chinese Government has been very good to us,” Holness affirmed during a ceremony to hand over 10 new tipper trucks, valued approximately $200 million, to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) at the agency’s headquarters in Kingston on Tuesday.

He noted that in addition to making valuable donations to the hurricane relief and recovery efforts, China dispatched its navy hospital ship, the Silk Road Ark, to Jamaica to provide critical medical care for citizens.

The Silk Road Ark spent 11 days in Jamaica, treating patients at the Montego Bay Cruise Pier, the Port Royal Pier, and the Falmouth Pier. The ship’s team concluded its visit with 7,563 medical consultations and 715 surgical procedures performed.

“I was not able to go and visit. But I saw all the reports, and the [Government] ministers were very impressed… and the hundreds of people who benefited, I’m sure, are grateful. So I want to use this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Jamaica, to say thanks to the Government of China for their support with the hospital ship,” Holness said.

The Chinese medical team donated critical medicines to Jamaica’s public health system and delivered health lectures during their visit.

Holness disclosed that the Chinese Government will be assisting Jamaica by providing equipment needed for the National Clean‑Up Programme.

“We have asked for certain kinds of equipment that will be used in debris management… excavators, front-end loaders and some other heavy equipment,” the prime minister detailed.

He advised that, once received, the equipment will be placed in the custody of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

“The JDF will keep them in their fleet… but they are technically owned by the NWA (National Works Agency). So, in the event of an extreme weather event, for example a major landslide that will require more than just a private contractor, the equipment will be stationed with the JDF where they have an engineering corps, [and] they can be mobilised to deal with this,” Holness explained.

He emphasised that the Government is utilising the resources received to strengthen the nation’s capacity to respond to extreme weather events.

– JIS