KINGSTON, Jamaica — State Minister Delano Seiveright has welcomed the passage of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill in the House of Representatives, describing it as a critical step toward fast-tracking Jamaica’s recovery after Hurricane Melissa.

He cited an estimated US$12.2 billion in damage, with more than 215,000 structures affected and widespread disruption to schools, hospitals and infrastructure. Communities such as Black River were among the hardest hit.

“This is not a normal situation. The scale of the destruction demands a structured, coordinated and urgent response,” Seiveright said.

While welcoming public scrutiny, he cautioned against delays.

“After a disaster of this scale, the greater risk is paralysis,” he said.

Seiveright pointed to built-in safeguards, including Cabinet approval for all projects, Auditor General oversight, mandatory annual reports to Parliament, and a public electronic register of approved works.

“This is not about bypassing governance, but fixing bureaucratic delays while maintaining accountability,” he argued.

He also referenced lessons from past disasters, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Maria, where recovery was slowed by fragmented systems.

Seiveright said Jamaica has already secured about US$6.7 billion in financing and restored key infrastructure, helping to stabilise confidence. He stressed that NaRRA is time-bound and subject to multiple layers of oversight, including a national committee chaired by Professor Peter Blair Henry.

“Jamaica cannot afford delay. We must act, and we must deliver,” he said.

The Bill now moves to the Senate.