- RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Danville Walker, head of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), giving an interim report on the organisation's work at a press conference yesterday at the ONR office. Also present was Beverley Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica.
Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Officer of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR) Danville Walker says he needs at least nine more months to complete hurricane reconstruction work.
"I think the ONR needs to continue beyond March 31 because we will have some significant projects on the ground that need to be done," he told reporters during a press conference at his Oxford Road office in St. Andrew yesterday.
Alluding to the projects that would need to be monitored, he said this included the United States Agency of International Development (USAID)-funded projects.
THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ONR
"My personal view is that as long as the USAID is here with about $18 million worth of benefits administering, there needs to be an ONR to work in coordination with them," he said.
He further pointed out that there were time deadlines for the USAID funds, with the first tranche expiring in April and the other $18 million that were awarded by the United States Congress, expiring at the end of the year.
He said: "It means that what you don't spend by then, (is) gone, and so it is in Jamaica's interest that an ONR remains in the mix to smooth the way to maximise in recieving this benefit."
Mr. Walker, who was presenting an interim report on the work done by his office, said he would find it hard to walk away from the reconstruction projects until they were completed.
He also indicated that while he is also needed at the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EoJ), where he is the director, he was willing to juggle both roles.
"I will be happy to work in both places. The EOJ is not too difficult for me to run," he said.
Mr. Walker said that while he has not discussed the matter with Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, he intends to do so at a future date.
Meanwhile, Beverley Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) said that she was in support of Mr. Walker's proposed extension.
Mrs. Lopez said: "We have been very pleased and satisfied with the work of the ONR and we will continue to support Mr. Walker in the rest of his time here and, possibly, to encourage the government to ensure that he stays on in some form after his six-months tenure is up."
