Opposition presses for National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority legislation

Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson has called for the tabling of legislation that will govern the operations of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA, a body to lead Jamaica's rebuilding following Hurricane Melissa's destruction.

“NaRRA is still without a legal foundation. No legislation has been brought to Parliament to formally establish it, and the public still has no clear picture of what it will do, how it will operate, or when it will be functional. We cannot rebuild a country on announcements alone,” Robinson said during his contribution to the 2026/2027 Budget Debate in Parliament on Thursday.

In January, Information Minister, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, announced that NaRRA is now operating as a department of Cabinet and that positions within the authority will be advertised shortly.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness first announced the Government’s intention to establish NaRRA in law in November last year.

At the time, he said NaRRA would be established under special-purpose legislation.

The proposal included giving the body special legal powers to lead, coordinate, fast-track, and oversee national reconstruction.

Holness explained that NaRRA’s operations will be financed from the national budget, while initial recovery and reconstruction activities will be funded from the National Natural Disaster Recovery Fund, which currently holds about US$650 million.

The advisory board is expected to include elder statesmen, civil society representatives, technical experts, and multilateral and overseas partners.

The Opposition People's National Party has questioned how its participation will be accommodated.

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28 last year, leaving at least 45 people dead and causing physical damage estimated at US$8.8 billion (J$1.4 trillion), equivalent to 41 percent of the country’s 2024 GDP, making it the costliest hurricane in Jamaica’s recorded history.

- Sashana Small

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