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Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has announced that approximately US$2 million, that is in an escrow account for oil and gas exploration, will be diverted to fishers whose livelihoods were significantly disrupted by Hurricane Melissa.
Over the last 10 years, Irish corporation United Oil & Gas has been searching for oil and gas offshore Jamaica.
Mr. Vaz says during this time, the funds to aid beach restoration have remained in the account.
He says the process to facilitate transfer of the funds to the Ministry of Agriculture should be finalised in January.
"The money has been sitting down there for many years because we haven't found the oil yet, but hopefully, we'll soon find it. And I went to [Agriculture Minister Floyd Green and I said I have this $2 million. Let it not sit down there in escrow earning little interest when we have the fishers that have been so badly damaged. He has provided me a programme for fishing beaches, for engines, for boats, for vouchers, all sorts of things. And we will be going to finalise that process in January so that I can hand over that US$2 million, that's J$320 million, that will be specifically dedicated to the fishers that have been damaged during Melissa," he disclosed.
Mr. Vaz said that the government is finding innovative ways to assist people who are trying to rebuild their lives.
"Because people need to get back on their feet so they can earn their way out of Melissa. It is one thing for government to give some grants here and this, that, the other. That's only going to take you so far. You need to be in a position to provide for your family and to build back your businesses, etc," he reasoned.
Minister Vaz was speaking Wednesday at the official commissioning of the Jamaica Public Service Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.
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