Reading Time: 4 minutes

Hurricane Melissa wrought extensive damage on Jamaica, and the recovery effort is front and centre in the public consciousness.

However, it has come under some criticism, some believing it is too centralised by politicians and that their efforts are more often than not uncoordinated. Furthermore, there is no oversight body keeping a vigilant eye on funding coming in to help desperate Jamaicans.

Many Jamaicans have taken the initiative to help those in need.

Dancehall star Buju Banton flew in items to help with the relief effort. This is noble and speaks to the character of the man. At a time of devastation and desperation, he has the wherewithal to get together the necessary items and fly them into Jamaica.

He has every right to be upset on discovering these items have been pilfered, with barrels being depleted and items bound for people in need of essentials gone missing.

His noble efforts undone by ignobility.

In disgust, he took to social media, writing: “How can I be happy about this? It breaks my heart. The things are being stolen at the very port, why? Why, Why? How can we be better? You let me down, Airport Jamaica. I won’t be quiet too much. Crooks! Fire them now! So much was stolen, it’s not even funny.”

The aftermath of Melissa is a target-rich situation for unscrupulous opportunists on the make. Already, there are reports of people scamming and other dastardly acts because there is no effective oversight. It is glaringly clear that this recovery effort needs to see all sectors of society come together and bring their respective expertise to the table. Indeed, the government is ultimately responsible, but it does not have the resources or the expertise to deal with this crisis. It too needs help.

Buju Banton voiced his disappointment and frustration, and that is understandable. If what he is saying is found to be true, then it presents the government with a huge problem and embarrasses it before the international community.

At this time, the last thing it needs is to look incompetent and unable to ensure relief is getting to those who need it.

This may have formed part of the thinking of Minister Daryl Vaz, who has been appointed to spearhead the relief and recovery effort. He has long had the moniker “Man of Action”, and if there was ever a time for that to be demonstrated, it is now.

In response to Buju Banton’s anguish, he took to social media with, “Buju, hear me now. You and I know each other for a long time. Thank you for all your efforts with the recovery, but if you have an issue, you can reach me. Give me the information, and I will investigate it.

“To go public on social media and bring effort into disrepute is not helping anybody.

“Give me the details, the specifics and let me deal with it, but I don’t rate how you handled it, so brethren, do better than that man! We have had over 300 relief cargo flights coming to Jamaica, and I haven’t received not one complaint from any of the international organisations and charities, much less the governments of other countries. I don’t understand what this is about.”

Now there is a furore as to who to believe on this. Some say it is a fiction on Buju’s part to make the government look bad, others that Buju has exposed the rampant corruption and venality taking place with the relief and recovery effort, with unsavoury characters enriching themselves.

Some even say this is typical of third-world countries, and this was also seen after the earthquake in Haiti back in 2010. Banana republic governments can’t be trusted, and relief efforts need to be supervised by reputable and renowned bodies like the Red Cross and UNDP.

What the Jamaican Government doesn’t need is for it to be said that it is unable to look after its own people and that aid sent is being plundered.

Buju Banton bemoaned that what he sent by aircraft to Norman Manley Airport, was intended to help Jamaicans impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Instead, what occurred was cargo missing and half the contents of the barrels gone. The way he sees it, this is indicative of the stinking mentality of thieves and dishonourable people at the airport.

“The people are in dire straits, so why steal from poor people. Where is the oversight, where are the security measures?”

His questions require answers.

Some government officials say there is nothing to see here and that Buju Banton got it all wrong. Perhaps he was not vigilant in keeping an eye on his cargo supply and allowed it to be abused by opportunists out there. They say there is no record or account of what he is going on about.

To that end, the Jamaica Customs Agency put out a statement which read: “The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) acknowledges your comments, Buju Banton. While several entities are involved in the clearance process, the JCA is a lead agency, and upon hearing your concerns, we took the initiative to conduct a review. We confirm that no irregularities were found and that all relief shipments are being cleared in keeping with established SOPs.”

Buju Banton is not all about entertainment. He felt compelled to come to the aid of his people after the fury of Hurricane Melissa decimated communities on Tuesday, October 28. People need shelter, food water. It is heartbreaking, and their needs are urgent.

There is the widespread notion that there is a paralysis of how best to mobilise to help Jamaicans whose lives have been wrecked by the hurricane. You have both political parties duking it out on technicalities while people suffer, and their fate remains uncertain.

That may be the point that Buju Banton is making.

“Driver, don’t stop at all!”