A heated exchange during Friday’s Senate debate on Jamaica’s landmark National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill has brought clarity to the status of promised post-hurricane housing for displaced Jamaicans. As proceedings adjourned for the midday break, Opposition Senator Dr. Floyd Morris, the party’s spokesperson for housing and sustainable living and a visually impaired legislator, pressed the government for concrete answers about the 5,000 promised containerized homes for victims of Hurricane Melisa. Using local Jamaican vernacular to emphasize his urgency, Morris stated: “I want to know, weh di house dem deh. Where are the houses for the people that you have promised […] I look down at the wharf and I caw find dem.”
Within moments, Government Senator Abka Fitz-Henley delivered an official response, disclosing that 924 prefabricated modular and containerized homes have already arrived on the island, with hundreds more en route. Fitz-Henley explained that Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, who holds direct ministerial responsibility for the national housing portfolio, convened a cross-agency coordination meeting with the National Housing Trust, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and the Social Housing Programme just one day prior on Thursday. At that meeting, Holness confirmed that the full order of 5,000 units has been finalized: 924 are already cleared at Jamaican ports, a further 700 are currently in transit, and an additional 700 will be shipped in the coming weeks.
Fitz-Henley reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to delivering on its promise to support Jamaicans displaced by the destructive impact of Hurricane Melisa. He went on to draw a contrast with past housing initiatives, alleging that the previous administration’s Operation Pride programme was marred by systemic corruption that saw hundreds of millions of dollars in public taxpayer funds stolen, resulting in the arrest of a People’s National Party (PNP) activist. He emphasized that under Prime Minister Holness’ leadership, the current government prioritizes full accountability and transparency in all public spending. The modular housing relief programme, he noted, operates under strict, independent regulatory oversight to eliminate mismanagement and graft, addressing any concerns about the integrity of the initiative. By closing out the exchange, Fitz-Henley reminded Morris that his question had received an immediate, official answer just minutes after it was raised during debate.