Dear Editor,

Nearly every comment for and against in the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) debate has some sound logic behind it, and frankly, the discussion itself is proof that Jamaica’s democracy is functioning exactly as it should. We ought to take some pride in that.

One critical feature of the NaRRA Act that seems to be getting lost in the noise is the sunset clause. This is essentially a built-in decommissioning schedule. NaRRA will automatically shut down and be removed from Jamaica’s bureaucracy on completion of its performance indicators. I would suggest five years, with extension possible from Parliament. Translation: if there are deficiencies, inefficiencies, or a few bent bolts along the way, they are not permanent fixtures in the machinery of government.

What must not be overlooked is that NaRRA is fundamentally an emergency response mechanism to one of the worst national catastrophes many of us have witnessed in our lifetime. Having personally visited the western region three times since Hurricane Melissa, I can comfortably score the recovery effort at about 8/10 under the circumstances, excellent work done by all concerned. Never judge a system in a disaster environment against laboratory conditions. You judge it against chaos, resource constraints, damaged infrastructure, exhausted personnel, and time pressure. And time is the real enemy here.

In every major crisis, the greater the destruction, the greater the opportunity for transformation and improvement. But that opportunity has an expiry date. Windows for recovery and redevelopment slam shut quickly once momentum is lost and bureaucracy takes over the steering wheel.

So let us focus on execution instead of endless commentary. Use the existing procurement systems, which actually work well when operated properly. Publish appointments and contracts online weekly for transparency. Apply modern project management methods with measurable indicators, numbers, timelines, deliverables, not 40-page narratives that say everything and measure nothing — Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC)-style accountability with dashboards instead of dissertations.

Meanwhile, Rome is burning while we are holding symposiums about the temperature of the flames. This disaster has a sell-by date talkers need to appreciate. Jamaica must move now with urgency and purpose before the opportunity for meaningful recovery passes us by.

Let us ensure the sunset clause does not arrive before the sunrise Jamaica needs from NaRRA.

Peter Wright

Engineer

peterxr600@gmail.com