PM outlines billions in Sandy damage

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has outlined almost $5 billion in damage resulting from the passage of Hurricane Sandy.

This afternoon in parliament, the Prime Minister provided the preliminary figures received from the various agencies.

She said the estimates have put damage to the agricultural sector at approximately $1.5 billion.

And she detailed $170 million in damage to schools, $160 million to health facilities and damage totaling about $11.4 million to resources in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Department of Correctional Services.

However, Simpson Miller says the biggest hit was to Jamaica’s roads and infrastructure, totaling about $1.1 billion from heavy rains in September and $2.6 billion from Hurricane Sandy.

And Simpson Miller says assessment of damage to homes is currently underway and she expects the exercise to be completed by tomorrow.

The Prime minister says the Labour ministry will be issuing vouchers to some needy citizens, but would not say exactly what other assistance would be provided.

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