Neita Garvey Calls For Policy Review At ODPEM

Neita Garvey Calls For Policy Review At ODPEM

Kingston, Jamaica. December 6, 2024: The Shadow Minister of Local Government, Mrs Natalie Neita Garvey, MP, has called for a review of inventory management policies and procedures at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) following an Auditor General’s report revealing significant spoilage of relief supplies.

In a statement today, Mrs Neita Garvey described the $4 million spoilage of relief supplies, identified through a special audit, as particularly egregious during a period when Jamaica experienced numerous disasters, including hurricanes, storms, floods, and an earthquake. “It is an outrage that many disaster victims were underserved or left without assistance, while ODPEM failed in its core function of competently storing, preserving, and distributing supplies to those in need,” she said.

The Opposition spokesperson called for accountability, emphasising that the management failures highlighted by the Auditor General must not go unaddressed, as this would risk recurrence. She noted that these failures were exacerbated by the non-implementation of approved infrastructure and IT projects designed to enhance ODPEM’s efficiency.

Mrs. Neita Garvey stated that the $4 million spoilage underscores deeper systemic issues within ODPEM, necessitating a comprehensive review of policies, responsiveness, performance management, and compliance with the provisions of the ODPEM Act.

She urged the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, MP, to order the review urgently, emphasising the need for changes and accountability ahead of the next tropical storm season, which is only six months away. She also highlighted the ongoing impact of unstable weather patterns caused by climate change on Jamaica.

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