Mayor fully on board for Black River reset

WESTERN BUREAU:

Black River Mayor Richard Solomon is embracing the idea of rebuilding the town, which was all but wiped out by Hurricane Melissa, into a stronger, smarter and more resilient town.

Solomon is therefore pledging his full support to the National Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (NaRRA), which will be undertaking the project.

“We are pleased with the direction of the Government,” said Solomon, in reference to the plans to rebuild Black River, while addressing Thursday’s Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Black River High School in St Elizabeth.

“NaRRA is on the ground, the UDC (Urban Development Corporation) is part of the process, and consultations are ongoing. A master plan is being developed and, based on what we’ve seen so far, we’re very pleased.”

While residents and business leaders are eager to see the start of the reconstruction, Solomon urged patience, emphasising the need for the process to be guided by careful planning.

“It will take time to get where we want to go. One of the main objectives is building back not only stronger, but better, more futuristic,” he explained. “Proper studies must be done; we don’t want to make mistakes this time around. This is a grand opportunity, and the Government is seizing it to get things right.”

For Solomon, the project is more than just replacing buildings destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. He said it represents a chance to reimagine Black River as a modern, resilient parish capital, one capable of withstanding future disasters while preserving its historic charm and commercial vitality.

When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28 last year, it did so in and around Black River, leaving the town almost unrecognisable in its aftermath, as very few buildings were spared.

The town suffered extensive damage to public infrastructure, businesses, homes and municipal facilities, which proved a bitter pill for residents to swallow as, at the time Melissa hit, they were still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which also took a heavy toll on the town just one year earlier.

In addition to the destruction of homes, buildings and other critical infrastructure, residents were left to endure months of darkness after the hurricane knocked them off the Jamaica Public Service grid, leaving them without modern conveniences, including refrigerators, air conditioning, telephone services and piped water, among other day-to-day necessities.

In outlining the Government’s plans to rebuild Black River in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said it had become necessary to relocate essential services such as the hospital and government offices away from the storm-surge-prone coastline.

Solomon said the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation is an integral part of the process, and he remains encouraged by the progress being made behind the scenes.

“We are part of the discussion, and we’re pleased with what’s happening so far,” he said.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com