New building code soon to be rolled out to withstand Category 5 hurricanes

NSWMA readying for current hurricane season; retaining 30% fuel reserve

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica’s revised Building Code to withstand Category 5 hurricanes will soon be rolling out, as Jamaica beefs up its hurricane preparedness.

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Desmond McKenzie, made the announcement, as he delivered his Sectoral Debate presentation in the parliament earlier this afternoon. He disclosed that as part of the process there will also be stronger enforcement powers for Municipal Corporations, mandatory compliance checks, and stricter penalties for illegal construction in high-risk zones. 

“The enforcement capacity of the Local Authorities will be strengthened, as the Ministry of Finance has given approval for a revised Establishment structure for the Municipal Corporations, which will facilitate the employment of more Building Officers…..I want to emphasise that the Reconstruction Phase is not designed to restore what has been lost. It is to replace lost infrastructure with vastly modern, climate-smart and resilient structures that dramatically improve the lives of our citizens,” Minister McKenzie advised.

However, there also has to be a clear understanding and acceptance among our nationally and parochially elected representatives, as well as the general public that it will not be business as usual, the minister explained adding that long-standing reckless and dangerous practices will have to be replaced with order, as the new normal in the built environment.

NSWMA in preparedness mode

In readiness for this year’s hurricane season, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is already preparing to: 

1. Preposition equipment and personnel in strategic areas, 48 hours prior to a potential disaster 

2. Retain a 30% fuel reserve, as well as essential supplies, to ensure full operations for 72 hours after a disaster. Agreements are also being developed with suppliers and con- tractors to provide additional fuel and heavy equipment for disaster response, and 

3. Identify and prepare alternative disposal sites if access to official sites is cut off in a disaster. 

At the same time, the NSWMA is still working hard to fulfil its general public cleansing mandate. Diligent efforts, Minister McKenzie told the House of Representatives have been made to clear the backlog across the country noting that this year, additional work, including repairs to 80 garbage trucks, will be done to shorten waste collection schedules.

NSWMA’s target of collecting 1.2 million tonnes of waste this year, which will be far easier to achieve if practices such as illegal dumping and the casual throwing of garbage onto the streets are significantly reduced. Last year alone, over 2,300 anti-litter tickets were issued, and over 9,000 litter-removal notices were issued. 

However, the ministry recognises that a special intervention is needed to ensure greater levels of civic responsibility. Accordingly, the NSWMA will be implementing a $200-million, special public education programme in this financial year. 

Minister McKenzie is looking forward to a greater sense of personal responsibility and civic pride that is vitally important to a successful Reconstruction Phase.