Anthony Anderson named CEO as NARA Act takes effect

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that Major General Anthony Anderson will become chief executive officer of NARA, following the passage of legislation giving the reconstruction body full legal standing.

Speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Holness said the measure had completed the parliamentary process and received the Governor General’s assent, meaning the former bill is now an Act. Anderson’s appointment takes effect on June 1.

Holness said the post was advertised internationally and attracted 120 applications, including 85 specifically for CEO. Seven candidates were shortlisted, three from Jamaica and four from overseas, including applicants from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. The selection panel included Public Services Commission chairman Pat Sinclair McCalla, Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell, Maria Thompson Walters of the Transformation Implementation Unit, Professor Gordon Shirley and Steven Edwards.

Anderson is Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States and previously served as commissioner of police and chief of defence staff. Holness said his experience leading the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Defence Force, and his work reviewing the state response to Hurricane Beryl, placed him close to the issues NARA must handle.

The prime minister said Cabinet has also discussed the first group of projects to be placed on NARA’s register, which he expects to be published within about a week. He said the names and terms of reference for the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee, Jamrock, will also be released.

Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr said more than 116,000 household assessments have been completed under the recovery programme. He said over 80 per cent of verified phase-one beneficiaries have received vouchers, text messages, cash or material support.

Charles said a digital portal has been introduced to help remaining beneficiaries check their status and collection instructions. He said phase two will focus on direct deposits, supported by field visits and banking information collection, with work beginning in Hanover before expanding to Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and St. James within two weeks.