Declaring Portland a disaster zone could be risky, says Gov't

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

The minister with responsibility for information, Sandrea Falconer says the Government has to tread carefully about declaring Portland a disaster zone as it could negatively impact how the internationally community views the country.

Earlier this week, Member of Parliament for West Portland, Daryl Vaz, repeated calls for the parish to be declared a disaster zone based on the level of damage following the passage of Hurricane Sandy.

But Falconer says doing so may send the wrong signal to tourists.

Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson notes that to declare a disaster would prompt the international community to respond differently to Jamaica’s financial needs based on protocol.

But he also agrees that such a decision is a technical one and has to be given serious consideration.

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