KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness last Thursday tabled the Bill to establish the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), in the House of Representatives.

Once it becomes law, the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority Act, 2026, will settle the establishment of NaRRA, outline its functions, guide the appointment of its Chief Executive Officer and other employees, delegate functions and address the matter of funding of the Authority.

NaRRA will drive reconstruction efforts across the country following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The Authority shall be responsible for the administration of this Act, including the preparation, implementation and oversight of national reconstruction and resilience projects, plans, programmes, activities and works.

It will consolidate and prioritise projects; establish performance indicators and reporting standards for programmes and plans; procure goods, works and services for the implementation of projects, programmes and plans; establish project tracking systems to enable the proper monitoring and reporting on all activities;  issue directives and operational guidelines.

Once it comes into being, NaRRA will also cause programmes and plans to include standards, specifications and requirements for the achievement of climate resilience by works to eliminate or mitigate the adverse effects of catastrophic climate events; establish project management, compliance, monitoring, reporting, and risk management systems necessary for timely, efficient and effective performance of procurement contracts for the implementation of approved projects, programmes and plans; and establish and maintain a register of approved projects.

Additionally, NaRRA will be able to carry out such other duties as may be necessary for the proper carrying into effect of the provisions of the Act.

Further, NaRRA will have power to carry out or secure the laying out and development of areas; lay out, construct and rehabilitate roads and buildings and carry out such other building and engineering operations as may appear to it to be necessary or desirable in, on, over or under land within any area; lay out, construct, rehabilitate, restore and provide car parks, piers, public parks, public gardens and other public amenities within any area; carry on any business or undertaking for the reconstruction and development of any area; contribute sums in respect of expenditure incurred in connection with the delivery of any programmes and plans for the development of any area; engage in any other activity designed to promote the development of any area.

For the purpose of performing its functions under this Act, the Authority, subject to any regulations made hereunder – do anything and enter into any transaction which, in the opinion of the Authority, is necessary to ensure the performance of its functions; take such action as may be necessary and practicable to ensure the preservation of sites and objects of architectural or historic interest.

The Authority shall, if lawful and practicable, utilise existing capacity, resources, facilities and systems in Government, which may be appropriately co-opted for the purposes of this Act.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness last Thursday tabled the Bill to establish the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), in the House of Representatives.

Once it becomes law, the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority Act, 2026, will settle the establishment of NaRRA, outline its functions, guide the appointment of its Chief Executive Officer and other employees, delegate functions and address the matter of funding of the Authority.

NaRRA will drive reconstruction efforts across the country following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The Authority shall be responsible for the administration of this Act, including the preparation, implementation and oversight of national reconstruction and resilience projects, plans, programmes, activities and works.

It will consolidate and prioritise projects; establish performance indicators and reporting standards for programmes and plans; procure goods, works and services for the implementation of projects, programmes and plans; establish project tracking systems to enable the proper monitoring and reporting on all activities;  issue directives and operational guidelines.

Once it comes into being, NaRRA will also cause programmes and plans to include standards, specifications and requirements for the achievement of climate resilience by works to eliminate or mitigate the adverse effects of catastrophic climate events; establish project management, compliance, monitoring, reporting, and risk management systems necessary for timely, efficient and effective performance of procurement contracts for the implementation of approved projects, programmes and plans; and establish and maintain a register of approved projects.

Additionally, NaRRA will be able to carry out such other duties as may be necessary for the proper carrying into effect of the provisions of the Act.

Further, NaRRA will have power to carry out or secure the laying out and development of areas; lay out, construct and rehabilitate roads and buildings and carry out such other building and engineering operations as may appear to it to be necessary or desirable in, on, over or under land within any area; lay out, construct, rehabilitate, restore and provide car parks, piers, public parks, public gardens and other public amenities within any area; carry on any business or undertaking for the reconstruction and development of any area; contribute sums in respect of expenditure incurred in connection with the delivery of any programmes and plans for the development of any area; engage in any other activity designed to promote the development of any area.

For the purpose of performing its functions under this Act, the Authority, subject to any regulations made hereunder – do anything and enter into any transaction which, in the opinion of the Authority, is necessary to ensure the performance of its functions; take such action as may be necessary and practicable to ensure the preservation of sites and objects of architectural or historic interest.

The Authority shall, if lawful and practicable, utilise existing capacity, resources, facilities and systems in Government, which may be appropriately co-opted for the purposes of this Act.

— Lynford Simpson