KINGSTON, Jamaica—Several Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) representing some of the parishes hardest-hit by Hurricane Melissa, took the Government to task on Tuesday over what they collectively described as the inadequate response from the administration that has left many of their constituents without a proper roof over their heads nearly six months after the devastating category five storm hit Jamaica.

They also highlighted a litany of other problems being faced by their constituents, some of which they say were made worse by the hurricane.

The MPs vented their frustration while addressing a press conference at the Old Hope Road headquarters of the People’s National Party (PNP) in St Andrew.

They were particularly concerned about the execution of the $10 billion Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme, noting that it was inadequate and that not everyone in need had been assessed.

“We’re not recovering well in Eastern Hanover,” said first-term MP Andrea Purkiss.

“As it relates to the ROOFS Programme, I believe a more comprehensive assessment must be done for it to make sense. A number of persons would have left their communities to find shelter after the hurricane so I am appealing to the minister (Pearnel Charles Jr) to extend that period and continue some assessment,” she said.

Purkiss charged that there was a lack of communication and dissemination of information when it comes to the general public. She told the press conference that a constituent, Miss Angela, travelled to Lucea for the launch of the programme and posed on stage with a $500,000 cheque, the maximum payable under ROOFS for persons whose homes were totally destroyed.

“You can find her picture on the prime minister’s page, Miss Angela’s home fell to the ground, her shop fell to the ground as well. But let’s focus on her home, Miss Angela received $200,000,” said Purkiss.

According to the MP, after traveling to the NIS office in Lucea to make enquiries, Miss Angela was not offered any help.

“There has to be a way to assist people where if an error is made, there must be a way for it to be corrected rather than sending persons to the MPs who are unable to offer the required help,” Purkiss said.

She also shared that all three high schools in her constituency have been damaged but no work has started. In some cases, she said students attend school on a rotational basis that sees them in school two or three days each week.

She also lamented the deplorable state of the roads which she said have been made worse by the hurricane. On a bright note, she said electricity has been restored to most areas in the constituency.

Purkiss also suggested that in parts of the constituency that are known Jamaica Labour Party strongholds, beneficiaries have received their monies. “I am asking you minister, what about the other areas?,” she remarked.

For her part, the MP for St James Southern, Nekeisha Burchell asked for a reopening of the ROOFS programme noting that many people were not reached for various reasons.

Pointing out that St James Southern was a landlocked constituency, Burchell said it was disheartening to drive on roads in St James that have been “speedily repaired” post-hurricane then end up on the “bad roads” in her constituency.

She described one road as being so degraded that it has transformed into what appears to be steps. “Cars can’t drive on steps,” she declared.

Burchell also asked that the Government reconsiders the closing of the assessment database for the ROOFS programme and also suggested that her constituents were being ignored because they supported the PNP.

She also appealed to persons at the NIS office to stop directing persons to the MP’s office “knowing full well that the MP cannot assist them with their housing repairs”.

Burchell relate that one of her constituents popularly called ‘Man-o-Wall’ accompanied her to the ceremony for ROOFS recipients in Mount Salem nearly two months ago where he received a symbolic cheque in the amount of $500,000.

“We went in good faith [but] Man-o-Wall has not even received a text message up to this point to confirm whether or not he’ll be getting that cheque or if he should have just taken the cardboard sign and taken that to the hardware,” she said.

Burchell also highlighted that small businesses in the constituency are still reeling from the effects of the hurricane with many of them unable to restart their livelihoods.

She said her constituents are left in disbelief when she tells them the Government has not announced a programme to help businesses recover in one of the parishes worst affected by the hurricane. “Because how could a caring government not think about the resuscitation of the economy of a constituency that has been so ravaged by this hurricane,” she said.

Burchell also claimed farmers have not received any significant benefits while other constituencies are getting much more by way of agricultural inputs.

She hinted that demonstrations are on the horizon.

“We do not choose to come here and complain to Jamaica, we’ve waited almost six months because we were giving the process the time to work but our constituents are losing their patience and you know that when Jamaicans are fed up, dem block roads,” said Burchell.

Meanwhile, the MP for St Elizabeth Northwestern Zuleika Jess said it is very clear that many persons have still not been assessed for housing grants or housing assistance in her constituency.

“And many of those who have already been assessed are yet to receive a benefit,” she told the press conference.

“Those who have received assistance will tell you that it’s woefully inadequate. What they’re getting, the likkle mikel can’t put on back a roof, it can’t fix up back di window, it can’t put on a back a door because it’s just not sufficient,” she remarked.

Jess appealed for additional resources for her constituents and also for the ROOFS programme to be reopened, stating that many people were not aware there was a deadline for them to apply.

Jess also lamented the poor state of the roads in her constituency and pointed to repeated flooding in the town of Santa Cruz for which she said it was time to find a permanent solution.

Also addressing the press conference were Dr Dayton Campbell representing Westmoreland Eastern; Ian Hayles, Westmoreland Western; and Dwayne Vaz, Westmoreland Central.

-Lynford Simpson