Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee Launched – Jamaica Information Service
The Government has officially launched the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC) and announced the appointment of its seven members.
JAMRROC will provide oversight of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), the entity established to coordinate the country’s post-disaster reconstruction and long-term resilience-building efforts following Hurricane Melissa.
The oversight committee will be chaired by Professor Peter Blair Henry.
The other members are Senator Keith Duncan, Patrick Hylton, Helene Davis Whyte, Pastor Glen Samuels, Dr. Christopher Burgess, and Ambassador Professor Dale Webber.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, presented the members with their instruments of appointment during the launch ceremony held at Jamaica House on Tuesday (September 8).
In his address, Dr. Holness said JAMRROC, in its operations, will draw on the principles of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), which played an important role in Jamaica’s macroeconomic reform, but will be far more intensive in its scrutiny.
“Professor Henry has committed to quarterly public updates… an online platform through which Jamaicans can access information on the reconstruction portfolio and direct engagement with communities. The public should also be able to know what is being built, what is the expected cost, when it is expected to be completed, whether milestones are being met, and where delays or corrective action may arise,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that JAMROCC will have access to project information, accounts, and performance data.
“It will most certainly have direct access to myself and the Cabinet, to the Cabinet Secretary, and to the Chief Executive Officer of NaRRA. So there is no question about JAMRROC getting the information on which it will then make its reports,” he added.
Dr. Holness said there is a view that JAMRROC is being established because NaRRA does not fall under the standard public accountability framework, noting that this is “absolutely not the case.”
He reiterated that NaRRA is subject to the laws of the land and the country’s established accountability framework.
“NaRRA is required to keep proper accounts and produce audited financial statements. The Auditor General has access to its accounts and records, and will most certainly be making reports on NaRRA. Its reports and financial statements are subject to parliamentary scrutiny and its approved reconstruction and resilience initiatives are required to be placed on a public register. These safeguards matter, and they must operate fully and effectively,” the Prime Minister underscored.
Dr. Holness thanked the Chair and members of the Committee for agreeing to serve, and the Leader of the Opposition for nominating a representative.
“It’s not easy to give public service… it is truly a sacrifice. All the members will bring their perspectives… they’re not just there representing their stakeholder groupings,” he said.
In his remarks, Professor Blair Henry thanked the Prime Minister for the invitation to serve, and the members for answering the call.
“The purpose of JAMRROC is to provide advice… to the decision-makers leading the national reconstruction. To this end, JAMRROC will leverage its knowledge base and relationships as well as those of its partners from civil society, the local and international business and academic communities, technical personnel, and multilateral institutions,” he said.