By Denise Clarke,
Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
JAMAICANS WILL not be told, for now, the total cost of the damage caused by recent flood rains which pelted the island.
Dr. Omar Davies, Finance Minister, says he has given strict instructions that no estimates should be released until the systematic process of assessment has been implemented. The reason for this, he said, is to prevent the hasty release of incorrect figures which could cause anxiety in some circles, especially internationally.
He was speaking yesterday at a forum at the Coyaba Hotel, Montego Bay, where he explained to the city's business community the economic policies of the ruling People's National Party.
"Whilst you may think that people should have their freedom to give their estimates, what that action does is that it adds up. Some guy in Chapelton says $40 million and another guy somewhere else gives another figure, and before you know it a $5 billion number which is based on nothing," Dr. Davies remarked.
He had earlier attended a meeting with disaster relief officials, and he said the damage caused by the floods was much more than the country could afford.
"What I do know is that it is bad news, it is more than what we could have afforded. The point is that we just do not have the technical capability to take care of it right now, we just do not have that. We just have to determine what are the priority areas and what it is we have to repair," Dr. Davies contended.
He emphasised that the next administration would have to treat sustainable development as a major priority, and carefully examine the environmental aspects before undertaking any development.
"There is a far more critical issue and one that any administration that comes in has to place a far greater emphasis on dealing with, is what they call sustainable development. We have been doing some things... in the name of progress, we have been building things where your granny would tell you that stream used to run, so whenever there is more rainfall beyond a certain level, the stream is there again. There needs to be a clear recognition that you have to be very careful in terms of where you select for development and I think that has to be a priority item," he said.
Heavy rains caused by tropical storms Isidore and Lili over the last two weeks have flooded several parishes, and left hundreds of people in shelters. Also, the floods have damaged homes, roads, bridges and other infrastructure throughout the island.
