During the ceremonial reopening of Black River Hospital—marking one year since Hurricane Melissa—Prime Minister Andrew Holness directly challenged Beenie Man and other government critics, declaring, “Don’t tear down your country.” The exchange highlights conflicting perspectives: the musician alleges relief funds have failed to reach vulnerable communities, while the prime minister cites billions in public spending and positions Jamaica’s recovery efforts as competitive with regional peers.
Read Also: Jamaica’s Property Boom Faces Buyer Completion Challenges
The government claims to have spent J$84 billion on the wider Melissa response and recovery, while 1.8% of J$1.44 billion in donations had been spent by February 2026, according to the Auditor General. Additionally, 50% of 118,000 assessed households are still awaiting ROOFS repair grants.
