With the recovery from Hurricane Melissa expected to be long and costly, the Government is in the process of setting up a national body to oversee and drive the reconstruction effort.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness made the announcement Thursday during a special media briefing at Jamaica House.
After pointing to the World Bank’s rapid damage assessment which has quantified physical damage from Melissa at US$8.8 billion, Holness said the entity, named the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), will have immediate access to US$1.15 billion to kick-start its work. He noted that at least half the US$8.8 billion will have to be borne by the Government, the rest by private interests.
