The National Works Agency (NWA) is carrying out emergency operations to restore access to communities in South Trelawny that were cut off following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Minister with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, said the agency’s immediate focus is to ensure that emergency services can reach affected residents and that people can begin resuming daily activities, despite ongoing challenges.

“The NWA is creating access for emergency services and for persons to start going about their business,” Minister Morgan said. “Yes, there is no electricity, but persons can still travel. In some areas, we are asking persons to be cautious as the road is now not as safe as it was before the hurricane. A lot of it is single lane and there are breakaways on the road.”

Morgan toured several affected communities on Friday alongside Member of Parliament Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert and representatives from the NWA to assess the extent of the damage.

He noted widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure, and highlighted that unstable soil conditions have made road repairs and relief distribution more difficult.

“There has been significant damage brought by Hurricane Melissa. We have seen houses damaged, road infrastructure damaged, and the soil is unstable,” he said.

The minister urged residents to travel with caution while using the roadways, emphasising that while the NWA is making steady progress, safety remains the top priority. He added that the on-site assessments would help determine the resources and actions needed to fully restore connectivity across the constituency.

Meanwhile, MP Dalrymple-Philibert reassured residents that relief supplies are ready and will be distributed as soon as conditions allow teams to mobilise safely.

“The way forward for Southern Trelawny and adjoining communities will require coordinated planning, continuous assessment, and timely execution,” she said.