Two weeks after Hurricane Beryl’s passage, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says some 15 roads across the island remain blocked.

He made the revelation in Parliament on Tuesday (July 16), while giving an update on relief and recovery activities following the powerful Category 4 cyclone. 

“The NWA [National Works Agency] recorded 529 roads that have been affected by Hurricane Beryl; out of those 15 roads, 2.5 per cent remain blocked. Three hundred and seventy-two, or 63 per cent have been restored to full two-lane access, and 203, or 34 per cent have been cleared to single-lane access,” the Prime Minister noted.

He said the NWA has largely achieved the task of ensuring vehicular mobility islandwide after the hurricane.

“The next task for the NWA is to clear water-logged and flooded areas, which means clearing drains and gullies, removing blockages, and washing down debris to prevent future flooding. This activity will be done in collaboration with the NSWMA [National Solid Waste Management Authority], which will be responsible for the removal of bulky waste, and with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in targeting areas that may be breathing sites for various vectors, particularly mosquitoes and rats,” Holness added.

The government has allocated some J$800 million to the National Works Agency to aid in its clean-up efforts. The allocation forms part of the J$10.25 billion sum estimated for road infrastructure damage due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

In addition to the allocation of J$800 million to the NWA, some 500 million has been allocated to the NSWMA for the national clean-up programme.

The prime minister said the NWA and the NSWMA will select the severely affected areas for clean-up activities to take place.

“This programme of work, which will be executed over one month, include[s] extensive bulky waste and residential waste removal as a result of the hurricane. Cleanup of thoroughfares and urban centres and removal of overgrown vegetation as well as fallen trees,” Holness outlined.

He said that with Emancipation and Independence celebrations fast approaching, now is the time for Jamaicans to participate in the clean-up and beautification efforts.