$750-million hit on State-owned assets in St James so far, says Mayor Vernon

MONTEGO BAY, St James — The tab is still running but losses to State-owned assets in St James now stand at three quarters of a billion dollars and that figure is expected to increase by almost another $100 million by early next year.

“The corporation has sustained approximately $750 million in damage to municipal assets,” Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon disclosed in a report delivered during Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation.

He said losses will continue to mount in the short term as they work towards recovery.

“We also project an additional $95 million in operational losses over the next three months,” said Vernon.

The municipal building, located on Union Street in the parish capital, lost a number of windows. The heavily used Charles Gordon Market lost its roof completely, a setback to ongoing work to improve conditions there for vendors and consumers. And, according to the mayor, the Spring Mount minor water supply was compromised due to land slippage.

All these issues are compounded by the local authority’s inability to receive money into its coffers through the usual channels.

“Our revenue centres have been significantly compromised, affecting our ability to deliver key services,” Vernon declared.

Despite those challenges, he said work continues out of the local authority to assist individuals within the parish recover from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

“The St James Municipal Corporation is open for business. All public services have resumed, and pubic car parks will resume operations on Monday,” the mayor stressed.

He also provided an update on road infrastructure, noting that there has been significant progress in making previously blocked roads accessible. He explained that some routes are “transitioning from single-lane traffic in key corridors to restore mobility and economic activity”.

Turning his attention to the mess Melissa left in her wake, Vernon said there has been progress.

“More than 900 truckloads of debris have been cleared across the municipality,” said the mayor.

He also used the opportunity to provide an update on efforts to restore electricity.

“[About] 81.4 per cent of JPS [Jamaica Public Service Company] customers remain without electricity and the JPS will publish a reconnection schedule for all communities in the coming days,” Vernon promised.

Looking ahead to the Yuletide, he said the annual Christmas Tree lighting will be scaled down.

“There will be no concert but we will gather for a solemn lighting and prayer vigil,” Vernon advised.

On another solemn note, the mayor also disclosed that the five people have been counted as victims of Melissa, while, 353 individuals are still in 29 shelters across the parish.