The Opposition People’s National Party remains deeply concerned about the governance framework established under the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) legislation, particularly the insufficient safeguards for transparency, accountability, and independent oversight.

From the outset, the Opposition has made clear that Jamaica requires an effective and inclusive governance mechanism to provide oversight for post-Melissa national recovery and reconstruction. We support efforts to build resilience and expedite recovery for affected communities. However, the urgency of reconstruction must be underpinned by democratic accountability and transparent decision-making.

Our concerns regarding the legislative structure of NaRRA have been consistently articulated, both in the Parliament and in the public domain. These concerns remain unaddressed.

Nevertheless, the Opposition recognises that the legislation has been passed, NaRRA is a reality and will play a central role in Jamaica’s economy in the years to come. It is imperative that, especially given its serious structural deficiencies, NaRRA benefits from diverse perspectives and independent voices as much as possible.

The Opposition has therefore exercised its responsibility to national development by nominating a representative to serve on the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC). Accordingly, the Leader of the Opposition has nominated Dr Christopher Burgess, a distinguished civil engineer, to JAMRROC.

Our decision to nominate a representative to JAMRROC is not an endorsement of the NaRRA legislation, as to which our concerns remain. Rather, it reflects our commitment to ensuring that JAMRROC itself benefits from broad representation and that the interests of the Jamaican people are safeguarded to the greatest extent possible within the existing inadequate legislative framework.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding, MP expressed, “The Opposition has consistently supported the objective of rapid disaster recovery and building national resilience. While we object to the NaRRA framework that concentrates power without adequate oversight and accountability, our decision to nominate a representative to JAMRROC reflects our belief that Jamaica needs independent, competent voices at the table. Our national responsibility requires us to participate with vigilance.”

We will continue to advocate for stronger guardrails, enhanced transparency, and meaningful oversight mechanisms to ensure that reconstruction efforts are conducted efficiently, fairly, and in the best interests of all Jamaicans.