Jamaica’s Junior works minister Richard Azan is leading a technical team to storm-ravaged Dominica as part of Jamaica’s recovery assistance to the neighbouring Caribbean island.

In addition to providing US$100,000, two Bailey bridges and technical help in the areas of health and engineering, Azan and a team from the National Works Agency (NWA) left Jamaica today to carry out an assessment of Dominica’s infrastructural damage and provide further technical advice on recovery.

Azan is accompanied by E. G. Hunter, CEO of the NWA; Varden Downer, director of major projects at the NWA; Roger Smith, NWA’s technical services director, along with representatives of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), and officers from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

“The delegation headed by Minister Azan will undertake an assessment of infrastructural damage with a view to offering technical assistance in the recovery process and discuss how Jamaica can further assist with rehabilitation to ensure rapid recovery from the devastation,” stated a release from the Ministry of Transport, Housing and Works today.

“Consultations are also ongoing between the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to outline Jamaica’s strategy for extending medical assistance to the country in keeping with identified needs,” the release also said.

While in Dominica, the Jamaican delegation will meet with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Minister of Transport Don Corritte, as well as the director of the Office of Disaster Management and other officials.

Azan and the technical team are scheduled to return to Jamaica on September 12.

Source: The Gleaner (Jamaica Newspaper)