The Jamaican government has announced an expansive recovery initiative for the community of Accompong in St. Elizabeth, extending far beyond immediate roof repairs in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the administration’s commitment to restoring essential community infrastructure, including a comprehensive revitalization of the local water system.
During his address at the annual Accompong Maroon celebrations on Tuesday, Holness outlined the government’s multifaceted approach. “Our intervention will transcend mere roof restoration,” the Prime Minister stated. “We are prioritizing your water situation. Preliminary assessments indicate numerous water sources exist here, alongside a previously functional supply system that has fallen into disuse. We pledge to restore this critical infrastructure.”
In addition to water system improvements, Holness committed to upgrading the community’s playing field, promising enhanced facilities for future commemorative events. “By the next anniversary celebration, you should have a properly upgraded field. This is a firm commitment from my administration,” he assured attendees.
Technical teams from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) are already operational in Accompong, executing initial roof repair operations. The current phase of emergency work is projected for completion within weeks. Following this, a comprehensive evaluation will identify additional properties requiring intervention.
Prime Minister Holness revealed further considerations after consulting with Accompong Chief Richard Currie, noting: “We’ve identified houses that sustained total destruction. These structures will undergo assessment to determine how many can be feasibly rebuilt through government assistance programs.”