Melissa adds $29b to Budget as reflected in Third Supplementary Estimates
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A total of $29.3 billion has been added to the National Budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year as reflected in the Third Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure.
The estimates were tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams. She said the entire amount is related to the fallout from Hurricane Melissa.
The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development will receive the lion’s share of $7.2 billion for road infrastructure and the procurement of 3,300 containerised housing units.
The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has been allocated $4.6 billion to assist with post-hurricane relief efforts, fund the National Solid Waste Management Authority’s pre and post-hurricane clean-up exercise, as well as provide support to the municipal corporations.
The Ministry of Tourism will receive $3.4 billion; the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change has been allocated $3.2 billion; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will receive $3 billion; while the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications has been allocated $1.5 billion.
“Alongside those Melissa-induced spending is the Government’s own spending to keep Government going,” Williams said.
The Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of the Parliament will meet on Wednesday to examine the estimates prior to approval by the House.