Jamaica and UK sign four-year deal to speed up post-hurricane reconstruction

 

 

Jamaica and the United Kingdom have signed the promised landmark four-year partnership to fast-track national reconstruction.

 

The initiative kicks off with an initial £10 million, one-year programme, funded equally by both governments. 

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness last Tuesday teased the pact, which will see the a specialised team of leading UK engineering and project management firm, Arup, Mace & Gleeds, embed with the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) to move priority projects from planning to reality.

 

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith says the initiative is designed to rebuild critical infrastructure, unlock international development financing, and heavily fortify Jamaica against future climate disasters.

 

She says the partnership brings practical value to a long-standing bilateral relationship. 

 

"By combining Jamaican leadership and expertise with the UK's experience in major infrastructure delivery, we will accelerate rebuilding of resilient communities and the restoration of services, livelihoods and opportunities. For our people, the measure of success will be tangible improvements in their daily lives and infrastructure that better protects them against future disasters," she declared.

 

The firm will form the Jamaica UK Delivery Team, providing design, engineering, programme management and procurement support to NaRRA.

 

The agreement was officially signed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda by Senator Johnson Smith and UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on Sunday.

 

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert, noted that the target is not just replacing what was lost, but building back better. 

 

"Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the UK is standing alongside Jamaica. This partnership brings together Jamaican leadership, UK expertise, shared investment and practical results. The aim is not simply to replace what was damaged, but to rebuild stronger, faster delivery of climate-resilient infrastructure to help protect communities against future disasters alongside lasting Jamaican capability to deliver reconstruction and drive economic growth," she asserted.

 

Officials from NaRRA and the UK consortium are set to begin work immediately to advance the country's priority climate-resilient projects.