We think Local Government Minister Mr Desmond McKenzie should take the advice of people still in emergency shelter in Petersfield, Westmoreland, post-Hurricane Melissa.

As suggested by some of those hurricane victims, he should visit to see for himself. For, it seems clear there is a disconnect between Mr McKenzie’s ministry team and the situation on the ground.

Our reporter who visited Petersfield last week reminds us that Mr McKenzie had said in a May 7 news release that people who had been sheltering at Petersfield High School since Melissa in late October 2025 would be moving into superior facilities. However, responders to our reporter last week disagreed strongly.

Further, while the minister had reportedly said that container homes being provided for the homeless people were close to completion, our reporter’s observations suggest otherwise.

The story in our latest Sunday Observer edition asserts that when the news team visited Petersfield on May 8 they found that “the majority of the lots intended for residents” were “still unfinished”.

It seems to us that Mr McKenzie, as portfolio minister, should take ultimate responsibility and do whatever is necessary for completion of the project efficiently and speedily.

A verbal political jousting match with Mr Dwayne Vaz, Opposition Member of Parliament representing Westmoreland Central, over something as important as this helps no one, least of all the hurricane victims. Regardless of political differences, central and local authorities need to work together in the interest of those they represent.

Poor optics also came with allegations that a teachers’ cottage close to Petersfield High to which some hurricane victims are now being temporarily housed, had dead rats and a garbage pile-up.

Shelter resident Mrs Christina Ennis described the condition as unacceptable.

Said she: “We had to get a power washer and clean out the rooms ourselves… There were dead rats and garbage everywhere. When we arrived, there was a huge pile of garbage that my husband had to burn last night. The place was not ready! We had to clean it up ourselves.”

If that story is correct, it represents an absolute disgrace.

While Hurricane Melissa caused extreme dislocation for many people, including the authorities, let’s also appreciate that the storm was six months ago and counting. And, as Jamaicans look forward to seeing the fruits of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill, which has now cleared Parliament along party lines, it seems to us that designated emergency shelters will need special attention over the long term.

We recall word earlier this year from The Bahamas of a newly opened multi-million-US-dollar climate-resilient hurricane shelter, built to withstand Category 5 hurricane conditions.

Located in the Abaco islands, the emergency shelter with the capacity to accommodate 800 people represents a partnership between The Bahamas, India, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Intriguingly, outside of disasters, the facility with solar-powered energy and rainwater harvesting is built to serve as a community centre.

It’s a reminder that, decades ago, not just Jamaican schools but community centres served as emergency shelters. Sadly, those were not climate-resilient. Storms such as Gilbert (1988), Ivan (2004), Dean (2007) devastated and destroyed many. Few were ever rebuilt.

We are left to contemplate that post-Melissa, even one facility in western Jamaica, such as the one opened in The Bahamas a few months ago, would have made a world of difference.