As Jamaica moves into the reconstruction phase following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa last October, the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, has warned that it will not be business as usual when it comes to construction.

Jamaica suffered damage and losses from the hurricane estimated at $1.952 trillion, equivalent to 56.7 per cent of the country’s 2024 gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

The impact was particularly severe for housing, both residential and commercial, with several communities in Westmoreland suffering significant losses.