The very first lesson for Jamaica is that as a country we desperately need to develop a maintenance culture. Governments over the years have been fascinated with creating new projects, and that’s understandable, but we have been woefully weak at maintaining them for posterity. As a result, so much of our infrastructure has been corroded over the decades from lack of, or insufficient maintenance.
Our bridges, our roads, our buildings, and yes, our environment. We too often forget that Jamaica is merely an island in the sea, and that that same sea is someday likely to reclaim its land, and so we must be prepared! I am convinced that much of the Hurricane Melissa destruction was because of poor ongoing maintenance of so much of our assets in Jamaica.
In the process of enjoying the sun, sea and sand of the Caribbean, we must never forget where we are located, and the dangers we are exposed to daily. This requires serious ongoing “disaster preparedness” efforts not just in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean region.
Sadly, the critical issue of climate change has not yet reached the level of seriousness required among our leadership over the years. As a result, to much of the population, it is merely a fancy scientific term. It is indeed real! Its effects can be seen all over the country daily. A single trip to Hellshire Beach in St. Catherine tells a frightening story. The serious erosion of the coastline is not by accident. It requires well thought out reaction from Government soon or Hellshire Beach, as we now know it, may well fall victim to some other natural disaster in the future and become merely a memory.
The idea of a maintenance culture must become a part of the national DNA. Our relatively new fascination with apartment living in the island is a case in point. More and more people are buying and living in these structures. Unfortunately, too few really understand that the payment of monthly maintenance fees is what allows the management to ensure that the complex maintains the glow that attracted them to it in the first place.
Looking at the levels of destruction across the island post Melissa, it is clear that we must revisit our building codes and upgrade and police them relentlessly. While we are at it, we must address the corruption often reported taking place in the local municipalities, where the pay for play approval processes is rampant.
One of the potentially positive outcomes of the hurricane destruction is that it gives us an opportunity to rebuild with some sense of order and structure. Too much of Jamaica has been developed haphazardly. Sadly, I don’t see the required vision among the current political directorate to accomplish this extraordinary task.
The private contractor world in the island seems to be overtaken by cheap hustlers. I have no doubt that we have the required engineering and scientific talents not only on the island, but in the diaspora. Sadly, whenever they are needed, they are not utilized. A case in point is the haphazard road works that invariably lead to serious flooding and damage once we enter the rainy season. The total disregard of existing drainage by workers invariably leads to catastrophe. Not to mention the poor patch-work process that demands repair a mere few months later. Of course, the politicization of these efforts is never to the country’s advantage.
Gullies play a particular and critical function. Too many see these as dumping grounds for refuse. Additionally, the public sector entities that are responsible for managing these facilities always wait until there is a crisis before clearing them. We need to do better.
As my final point on this subject, the post-Melissa destruction in the western part of our island exposes the deep levels of abject poverty that too many of our people are subjected to. This reality demands a comprehensive and serious re-examination of where we wish to go as a nation. After 63 years of independence, despite some significant accomplishments, too many of us are still struggling. The recovery will be enormous, and if done strategically can be life-changing for the country. It demands a smart combination of relevant skills, enormous financial resources, viable plans, astute and competent management, incorruptible players and yes, a well-informed and onboard population working to make it a reality.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, Land We Love!!
