Beneficiaries of Beryl relief grants urged not to squander funds

   

Beneficiaries of the government's Hurricane Beryl Relief cash grants have been urged to not squander the opportunity to rebuild.

 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security on Monday began the distribution of cheques valued at $400,000 for destroyed homes, $150,000 for severely damaged and $50,000 for those with minor damage.

 

The individuals were selected following an assessment and verification process.

 

Speaking at the launch of the Rebuild Jamaica Initiativeon Monday, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. explained how beneficiaries can get more out of the grants being provided. 

 

"The partnership with the Global Employment Mission is a representation of the strong collaborations, the purposeful collaborations that we want to have. If the Ministry of Labour and Social Security provides for a beneficiary $150,000 and you have lost your roof, you can now elect, through our partnership, to put that $150,000 towards the labour cost and GEM will come in and provide the material and resources that are necessary to give you a new roof. That is turning the billion into two and three billion," he noted.   

 

But Mr. Charles said beneficiaries will have to be responsible and ensure the funds are used as intended. 

 

"You are responsible, you are accountable to ensure that it is used wisely and for the benefit of yourself and your children and your community. This is not to be wasted on foolishness. This is a time when we expect the consciousness of Jamaica to kick in. We will not have the opportunity to go in and parent every house," he advised.