Jamaica cannot afford to wait any longer

Dear Editor, Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa requires urgency, coordination and decisive action. It is against this background that I express concern about the length of time it is taking for the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) to become fully operational and deliver visible results. NaRRA was established with an important mandate: to coordinate and accelerate national reconstruction, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and help communities become more resilient to future disasters. Yet, months after its establishment was announced, Jamaicans are still hearing about recruitment, organisational arrangements, planning, and the development of systems to support its operations. In September, the authority’s chief executive was still outlining activities necessary to make it fully operational. While these preparatory steps are necessary, one must ask how much longer communities are expected to wait before they see meaningful progress. For people whose homes have been damaged, whose livelihoods have been disrupted, and whose communities are still struggling to recover, administrative preparations offer little immediate comfort. They need to see reconstruction moving from plans and announcements to completed projects. The concern is not that NaRRA should rush into major projects without proper planning, financial oversight, or accountability. Rebuilding hastily without considering resilience could leave Jamaica vulnerable to similar devastation in the future. However, there must be a reasonable balance between preparation and execution. An authority created specifically to fast-track reconstruction must demonstrate that it can move more efficiently than the bureaucratic systems it was intended to improve. The Government must, therefore, communicate clearly what has been accomplished, what remains outstanding, and when Jamaicans can realistically expect major reconstruction projects to begin and be completed. The public should have access to a transparent list of priority projects, their budgets, implementation timelines, and measurable targets. Regular progress reports would allow citizens to assess whether the authority is fulfilling its mandate. There must also be clear accountability for delays. If staffing, procurement, funding, or coordination between agencies is preventing progress, these obstacles should be identified and addressed promptly. Jamaicans deserve more than assurances that the machinery is being put in place; they deserve evidence that the machinery is working. Time is particularly important in disaster recovery. Delays can deepen hardship, increase rebuilding costs, and place additional pressure on families and businesses already struggling to recover. Every month spent waiting can mean another month of uncertainty for those who need assistance. NaRRA has an opportunity to transform how Jamaica approaches reconstruction and public project delivery, but that opportunity will be wasted if the authority becomes another institution associated with lengthy procedures and delayed results. The Government must now demonstrate urgency, transparency, and measurable progress. Jamaicans do not expect miracles overnight, but they are entitled to clear timelines and visible action. The time for establishing the machinery must give way to the time for delivering results. Jamaica’s recovery cannot remain indefinitely in the planning stage. Rennae Watt watsonren@yahoo.com