KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaican government has formally presented a substantial fiscal injection of J$29.3 billion (approximately $187 million USD) into the national treasury for the 2025-26 financial year. This allocation was detailed in the Third Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure, tabled before the House of Representatives on Tuesday by Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams.
Minister Williams explicitly attributed the entire supplementary budget to addressing the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, underscoring the government’s dual focus on crisis response and maintaining essential services. “Alongside those Melissa-induced spending is the Government’s own spending to keep Government going,” Williams stated during the parliamentary session.
The budgetary distribution reveals a targeted approach to national recovery. The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development is designated to receive the largest portion, J$7.2 billion, earmarked for critical road infrastructure repairs and the urgent procurement of 3,300 containerized housing units for displaced citizens.
Significant funding has also been allocated to other key ministries for relief operations:
– J$4.6 billion to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to support post-hurricane relief, fund the National Solid Waste Management Authority’s cleanup initiatives, and bolster municipal corporations.
– J$3.4 billion to the Ministry of Tourism, a vital sector for the island’s economy.
– J$3.2 billion to the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change.
– J$3 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining to assist the heavily impacted farming and fishing industries.
– J$1.5 billion to the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications.
The proposed expenditures are now subject to legislative scrutiny, with the Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee scheduled to convene on Wednesday for a detailed examination before the House grants final approval.