Reconstruction Oversight Committee, JAMRROC, Launched | RJR News

By Nakinskie Robinson  

The panel expected to keep a close eye on the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) now has its overseers. 

The Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC) will provide oversight for NaRRA, tracking progress, and ensuring public accountability for post-Hurricane Melissa reconstruction and overall long-term resilience-building.

Despite repeated objections to NaRRA by the parliamentary opposition, People’s National Party Leader Mark Golding had a hand in selecting one member of the committee.

Chair of JAMRROC, Professor Peter Henry, who was appointed in March, says he will be joined by six qualified technocrats.

“These members are Senator the Honourable Keith Duncan, The Honourable Patrick Hylton, Mrs. Helene Davis Whyte, Pastor Glen Samuels, Dr. Christopher Burgess, and Ambassador Professor Dale Webber,” he announced. 

“I would also like to thank the Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, because in naming a representative to JAMRROC, he could easily have chosen a generic figurehead. Instead, in a good sign that all hands are on deck in taking this national project seriously, he named Dr. Christopher Burgess, and in so doing, has provided someone with expertise and qualifications that will be extremely valuable to JAMRROC, especially when combined with the similar expertise of fellow JAMRROC member, Professor Dale Webber,” highlighted the JAMRROC chair. 

Professor Henry said JAMRROC will be tasked with fast-tracking the NaRRA process for rebuilding.

“Our first job is to advise the Prime Minister and Cabinet on the selection of reconstruction projects for the fast-track NaRRA process. Even as they address local needs, JAMRROC will advise and hold the Prime Minister and Cabinet accountable for, A, selecting reconstruction projects whose resilience adjusted economic and social rates of return exceed their cost of capital, and B, with the help of JAMRROC, the private sector, and international partners, attracting private capital, domestic and foreign, to fund projects that are commercially viable,” he noted.

He was speaking at the official launch of JAMRROC on Tuesday morning.