KINGSTON, Jamaica — Amid the festive glow of Christmas lights, a powerful call for systemic housing reform echoed through the Bignall Law Commercial Centre in Half-Way-Tree on Saturday evening. The commercial firm hosted its third annual tree-lighting ceremony, transforming the event into both a memorial for Hurricane Melissa’s victims and a platform for social advocacy.
The ceremony, produced through a special partnership with Hillel Academy students, drew substantial attendance despite the nation’s somber mood following the devastating Category 5 hurricane. Proprietor Vaughan Bignall defended the decision to proceed with the celebration, emphasizing that ‘life is about continuity’ and asserting the importance of maintaining hope during challenging periods.
Bignall delivered a comprehensive critique of Jamaica’s housing vulnerabilities, urging government bodies and landholding institutions to address what he termed ‘historical injustices’ in land distribution. He highlighted the disproportionate impact of hurricanes on impoverished communities, where substandard housing leads to concentrated casualties and severe property damage.
‘While immediate relief provisions are essential,’ Bignall stated, ‘we must prioritize permanent housing solutions.’ He specifically criticized the prevalence of temporary zinc and board structures in disaster-prone regions, advocating for concrete homes capable of withstanding major hurricanes.
The business leader identified particular urgency in Westmoreland and other parishes experiencing widespread landlessness among poor residents. He challenged churches, government agencies, and other institutional landowners to consider outright land donations to vulnerable families as a long-term solution.
Bignall also addressed the government’s plan to vacate school shelters by December’s end, acknowledging the need for educational normalcy while insisting that displaced residents require viable relocation options. ‘Removing people without ensuring proper alternatives is unacceptable,’ he remarked.
Despite the evening’s serious undertones, the ceremony maintained its focus on seasonal joy and community solidarity. Bignall emphasized the importance of providing children with Christmas happiness despite national hardships, describing the event as ultimately about ‘hope, continuity, and light.’