Gov’t contemplates use of emergency rules
THE Government is contemplating the implementation of orders under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA).
Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the disclosure during a press briefing at Jamaica House on Monday to update the nation on the country’s preparedness for Hurricane Beryl.
“This would give the Government the necessary executive powers to be able to respond quickly and with flexibility. No decision has yet been taken. The Cabinet will reconvene in another hour or so, and when we review all the recommendations and presentations made, then we will inform the nation as to the implementation of orders under the DRMA,” he said.
“It’s very important to establish that there is a disaster and that emergency rules would kick in, and very important for accountability afterwards. After disasters have passed the accountability process does not sometimes incorporate that there was a disaster and so it is important that the framework be well established. So, it is likely that we will implement prders under the Disaster Risk Management Act,” Holness added.
The prime minister said the orders will also be important in guiding the security forces, particularly, in taking pre-emptive actions to prevent lootings — which have happened in past disasters.
“We will not have any such thing in this pending emergency. It is also necessary to help us to guide and encourage the public who may be in areas that are likely to be impacted significantly,” Holness said.
The prime minister noted that, by all projections, the hurricane is on a track to significantly affect Jamaica’s south coast.
He pointed out that low-lying areas are going to be seriously affected, adding that the country will probably be affected by heavy rains and flooding.
“We have seen, when we are impacted in this way, that some areas have been affected by landslides, which have caused deaths. Because it is a hurricane we will also have high winds, which means that we could see damage to residential property and to other infrastructure. So, we have to be prepared for that,” the prime minister underscored.
– JIS