WATCH: Promised housing for Petersfield High shelterees ‘not ready’, says Dwayne Vaz

Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central, the People’s National Party’s Dwayne Vaz is chiding the Government over what he says is a failed promise to have occupants of the Petersfield High School hurricane shelter relocated to a “suitable accomodations” by Friday.

According to Vaz, the “missed deadline” has forced the residents to now occupy rat-infested teachers quarters located next to the school.

He noted that 50 container houses were promised, but only five foundations have been prepared at the site located a few chains from the shelter in Shrewsbury. No electricity, no sewage system and no water has been prepared at the site, Vaz said.

“The minister [of local government] must take full responsibility. It shows up the level of incompetence of the minister,” he said.

He is calling on the prime minister to intervene in what he believes to be mismanagement of operations.

“We are calling out the prime minister. Please assist the residents in Shrewsbury and get them to where was promised to them,” Vaz said.

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development announced last month that all remaining Hurricane Melissa shelterees being housed at schools will be relocated to suitable accommodations by May 8, 2026 as part of an ongoing national recovery effort.

That announcement followed unconfirmed reports that individuals in shelters were engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviour in front of students.

Video and article by Rosalee Wood Condell