It is said, and not without reason, that the beauty of listening lies in deep connection, learning, and wisdom — a thing just powerfully demonstrated by the Government of Jamaica in extending the deadline for duty-free hurricane relief supplies.

Without this second extension, huge amounts of supplies amassed by Jamaicans in the Diaspora would likely remain on ports overseas, notably the United States, until a resolution was found to g
et them to Jamaica — read pay to clear them from the wharves.

In keeping with the true Jamaican spirit, many in the Diaspora pulled out all the stops to rally to the support of their compatriots battered and bruised by Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025.

The Government wisely decided to offer a waiver of duties and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on supplies coming in for the people who lost loved ones, livelihood, and homes, with an initial one-month deadline of November 28. It then pushed the deadline to December 31, 2025.

Yet, even with that year-end extension, large numbers of people complained they could not meet that deadline, because the Kingston and Montego Bay ports were overwhelmed, plus the fact that the shipments were already caught up in the traditional Christmas overload.

Hard as it was, the Government, clearly biting its lip, and with Finance Minister Mrs Fayval Williams no doubt tearing out her hair, took the decision last Wednesday to do a second extension, this time to January 15, 2026, knowing it was going to cost revenue loss of a whopping $12 billion.

Let’s face the bald facts. The hand-wringing that might well have gone on in the finance ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister would have been understandable because this is no time to give up revenue when faced with the insurmountable recovery and reconstruction bills left by Melissa’s onslaught.

For that matter, the declaration by the Government that January 15, 2026 is “a hard stop”, meaning that there will be no further extension, is also understandable, which is not to say that the Administration does not welcome more gifts and donations.

Not surprisingly, the gesture has found favour among the people who, supported by this newspaper, had urged the Government to act.

“The decision demonstrates a clear understanding of the needs of Jamaicans, both at home and across the Diaspora…,” allowing uninterrupted shipments, said Ms Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) representative of Jamaicans in the north-east US.

Outgoing GJDC representative for the southern United States Mr Peter Gracey said it will benefit those who are still in need of critical assistance. Pennsylvania-based Mr Stafford Grant, head of the Jamaica Ex-Servicemen and Women Foundation, noted that it would allow breathing space for the tons of relief supplies still at Jamaican ports, or waiting to be
shipped.

Former GJDC representative Dr Karen Dunkley added that it “reflects a meaningful recognition of the vital partnership between the Jamaican Government and the council”.

Indeed, a Government that listens to its constituents and acts is one that wins every time.