65% of small businesses in Westmoreland wiped out by Hurricane Melissa - Mayor

Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Danree Delancy says at least 65 per cent of small businesses in Westmoreland have shuttered their operations following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

That is one of the harsh realities facing the parish after the disaster left tens of thousands homeless and decimated livelihoods across the parish.

Some businesses may never recover, Delancy fears.

At the same time, except for sections of Negril and the Savanna-la-Mar General Hospital, the parish remains without electricity, he outlined, noting that he was recently informed by representatives from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) that power may not be restored in some areas until next May.

“So it is not looking good for us,” bemoaned Delancy, who was speaking at the Clifton Boys’ Home in Darliston, which was visited by Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby and a small Jamaican delegation from Atlanta, Georgia, that made donations to the home, which was badly damaged.

“I am concerned that some of these businesses may not be able to recover from this. A lot of businesses have suffered structural damage and, of course, there is also the financial loss,” he said.

“Some of these businesses also depend on electricity. Yes, some can acquire generators, but for these businesses to go the generator way, we are looking at at least $10,000 per day for petrol. It is very expensive,” stressed the mayor, noting that some households are spending close to $5,000 daily to operate their generators.

That’s for up to four hours at a time, he explained, noting the contrast with businesses that may have to run generators all day.

This is even more costly for businesses that trade in perishable goods that must be refrigerated.

“In these harsh economic times, you cannot pass on those additional costs to consumers. A lot of our residents in Westmoreland are employed in the tourism industry, and these facilities have been closed,” he explained, adding that people are struggling to rebuild their homes while unemployed.

At the same time, Swaby announced that the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation has formed an alliance with the Jamaican diaspora to bring added resources to the affected parishes.

That partnership saw the recent repair of the roof of an infirmary in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, which was on the verge of closure.

It also saw a team of sports psychologists counselling the boys at the home, some of whom have been left traumatised by the natural disaster.

Swaby said it is his intent for the KSAMC to visit all the worst-affected parishes and lend support to them.

His efforts started in St Elizabeth over the weekend.

- Corey Robinson

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