Dear Editor,

Long before Hurricane Melissa devastated the township of Black River I wrote repeatedly to national newspapers expressing my concern about the visible decline and neglect of a place that occupies such an important chapter in Jamaica’s history. Looking back, those warnings now seem prophetic.

Hurricane Beryl provided an early warning, then came the destructive force of Melissa, leaving behind widespread ruin and despair. Nearly a year later, and with another hurricane season underway, there remains little visible evidence of a comprehensive plan to restore the town or secure the future of its residents.

Despite reports of billions of dollars flowing into the country for recovery and reconstruction, many affected citizens are still waiting for meaningful assistance. Some have yet to received even basic materials to shield their homes from the elements. As one drives through the affected communities, the question becomes unavoidable: How will the most vulnerable recover without a sustained infusion of resources, support, and investment?

To date only a small number of residents appear to have benefited from relief efforts — in most cases the greedy and not the needy. What is particularly troubling is the growing disconnect between government announcement and community engagements. During a recent visit to the town, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness announced plans to relocate the residents of Parottee. Yet critical questions remain unanswered. Where will these residents be relocated? What timeline has been established? What compensation, if any, will be provided? Most importantly, were the affected people consulted before such a consequential declaration was made?

In a modern democracy developmental plans cannot be imposed from above. Effective governance requires consultation, transparency, and respect for the people whose lives will be affected by policy decisions. Heritage, culture, family memories, and community identity are not obstacles to development, they are essential considerations in any plan for progress.

I remain deeply passionate about my parish capital and firmly believe that Black River can emerge stronger from this tragedy. I envision a rebuilt town featuring a vibrant water front district, environmentally sustainable infrastructure, resilient commercial spaces, and thoughtfully designed residential communities. Modern engineering and proper planning can produce structures capable of withstanding increasingly severe weather events. It is worth remembering that many of the buildings lost to the storm were ageing structures from another era long overdue for replacement.

The question facing us today is not whether Black River should be rebuilt, but how. Will reconstruction be guided by vision, consultation, and resilience, or by expediency and political pronouncements? The people of Black River deserve more than promises, they deserve a clear plan, honest dialogue, and decisive actions.

As another hurricane season unfolds time is no longer a luxury. The future of Black River hangs in the balance. History, heritage, and human dignity demand that we act now, not merely to restore what was lost but to build a town worthy for future generations.

Dr Burnett Robinson

blpprob@aol.com