Time to clean up MoBay

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Months have passed since Hurricane Melissa battered western Jamaica and, although the headlines have faded, the scars remain.

Drive through Montego Bay and neighbouring communities and you will still see damaged roofs, broken fences, abandoned vehicles, overgrown lots, blocked drains and roadside debris. What stands out is not what Government has done, but what ordinary Jamaicans have accomplished through determination and community spirit.

Neighbours have helped neighbours, families have pooled resources, church groups have lent support, and small contractors have repaired homes one job at a time. Jamaicans have once again demonstrated that resilience is one of our greatest strengths.

However, resilience should never become an excuse for slow recovery.

The public deserves answers. How much of the hurricane recovery funding has been allocated? How much has been spent? Which communities have benefited, and what projects remain outstanding? Taxpayers have a right to know how recovery funds are being used. Transparency builds confidence.

Recovery should involve more than replacing roofs. This is an opportunity to improve communities. Why are we not seeing employment programmes to clean drains, clear overgrown lots, repair sidewalks and restore neglected public spaces? Such initiatives would beautify towns while providing income for residents still struggling to recover.

In Montego Bay, problems remain visible. Barnett Lane has a dump at its entrance. Railway Lane remains hazardous; I recently witnessed a woman slip and break her finger there. The Charles Gordon Market still lacks a roof, and its steel columns continue to deteriorate. MoBay remains a sore sight. Perhaps it is time to revive former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s JEEP programme.

As Jamaica’s tourism capital, Montego Bay should not take months to recover after a disaster. Recovery should be visible, create jobs, strengthen communities and leave towns better than before.

The people of western Jamaica have done their part. They deserve a government equally committed to recovery that is timely, transparent and transformative.

Yannick Pessoa