FALMOUTH, Trelawny — In response to catastrophic structural damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has initiated an emergency plan to establish temporary housing for displaced residents and staff of the Trelawny Infirmary. The Category 5 hurricane also rendered the historic Falmouth Courthouse, which housed the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC), completely inoperable, forcing a suspension of all municipal operations. Both facilities, under the TMC’s management, have been officially declared unsafe for occupation.
During an assessment tour of the storm-ravaged town last Saturday, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie unveiled a strategic recovery plan. A municipally-owned parcel of land has been designated not only for the immediate construction of a temporary infirmary but also as the future site of a permanent, modernized facility. Minister McKenzie emphasized the suitability of the location, stating, ‘It will be temporary, but they’re going to be there for quite some time as we now move to design a brand new facility. This location is suitable. It has not been flooded, it is quiet, and it offers comfort for what is being contemplated.’
The immediate objective is to relocate the 60 infirmary residents and 40 staff members from their current temporary shelter at the Hague Primary and Infant School by the end of December. ‘The school needs the space, and we are working to get the residents settled. By the beginning of January, they should be in their new home,’ McKenzie affirmed, confirming that the timeline is on track.
To expedite the process, four prefabricated modular units have been procured and are scheduled to arrive in Falmouth within the week for rapid installation. These modern units will be a significant upgrade, featuring dedicated bathrooms, toilets, a dining area, and a small recreational space—a first for the infirmary’s infrastructure.
In a parallel announcement, Minister McKenzie confirmed plans to establish a new permanent headquarters for the displaced Trelawny Municipal Corporation, acknowledging that administrative functions cannot resume in the nearly 170-year-old devastated courthouse. The project is now entering a design and planning phase to secure funding and commence construction. This announcement was met with profound gratitude from TMC Chairman and Falmouth Mayor, C Junior Gager, who expressed his relief and eagerness for the parish to recover and regain its footing.
