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BULLETIN #20
Rebuilding Jamaica
October 4, 2004 - Noon
PSOJ support Government's decision to self-finance reconstruction efforts
The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) has expressed support for
the Government's decision to finance the reconstruction efforts with its own
resources rather than increasing its level of debt.
This will be achieved through a reallocation of existing budgeted resources supplemented by grant funding and private sector support. The government, despite the obvious challenges, will also strive towards meeting its original fiscal deficit target of 3 to 4 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product for the fiscal year, and any deviation will be compensated for in 2005/2006.
Over 70 million vital records still intact at the RGD
The Registrar General's Department (RGD) has given the assurance that over 70
million vital records stored by the Agency are still safe and intact following
the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Contributing to the positive outcome was a 15-member disaster preparedness team, which is responsible for activating the Agency's disaster preparedness plan in the event of an emergency. In addition, the agency's vaults are fire proof with a special SN200 Technology and, in the event of a flood the vault has a built-in drainage pattern that can almost be considered waterproof.
47 assessment officers carrying out evaluations in Manchester
Over 47 assessment officers have been in the field carrying out evaluations
on a daily basis to speed up relief efforts. Persons, who have submitted their
names and have been registered with the Parish Council, Jamaica Red Cross -
one of the national relief agencies, or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
office in Mandeville, are urged to be patient as the assessment team will visit
them shortly.
Meanwhile, of the 70 shelters that were opened in the parish, only eight now
remain open, with 60 persons being accommodated. The centres are Maidstone,
Banana Ground Health Centre, Precious Plains Health Centre, Sommerset Church,
Plowden All-age School and three private homes.
All shelters closed in St. Ann
All 114 shelters that were opened in St. Ann during Hurricane Ivan three weeks
ago, are now closed, and most of the 7000 persons have returned to their homes.
National Relief Organizations, such as the Red Cross Society, St. John's Ambulance,
and the Seventh Day Adventists have been helping to distribute food and various
comfort items to persons who were badly affected by the hurricane.
Contact: The Public Relations Department
E-mail: pr@jis.gov.jm
Tel: 929-1919
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