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Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness today led a high-level Government delegation to brief the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mark Golding, on national preparations for Tropical Storm Melissa and the measures in place to protect lives, critical infrastructure, and ensure the continuity of essential services. Attendees from the Government were: Dr. The Most Honourable, Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica Hon. Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Hon. Daryl Vaz, Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Senator Dr. The Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Hon. Abka Fitz-Henley, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Attendees from the Opposition were: Mr. Mark Golding, Leader of the Opposition Mr. Julian Robinson, Opposition Spokesperson on Finance and the Public Service Dr. Angela Brown Burke, Opposition Spokesperson on Social Protection and Social Transformation Mrs. Yvonne Rose-Marie Shaw, Deputy Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government and Participatory Democracy Prime Minister Holness emphasised that the purpose of the briefing was to ensure full transparency on the country’s state of readiness and to maintain national unity in the face of a severe weather threat. “Readiness is a matter of national safety,” said Prime Minister Holness. “We are sharing the latest projections, shelter plans, resources available, and the steps already taken so that the country hears one consistent message: prepare, act early, and protect life first.” The Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Mr. Evan Thompson and Acting Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Mr. Richard Thompson who are also in attendance provided technical briefings on the current projections of the weather event and the state of preparations for the weather system. The Government of Jamaica is appealing to all Jamaicans, especially seniors, persons with disabilities, and families in low-lying or coastal communities, to finalise their safety plans today and continue listening to official sources.
