Patterson: Include political parties, churches and artistes in rebuilding process
Published:Thursday | November 6, 2025 | 12:10 AMErica Virtue/Senior Gleaner Writer
Retired former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has indicated that the island’s two main political parties and parliamentary system must be pivotal in the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, and that now is not the time for divisiveness.
Patterson, in an interview with The Gleaner on Tuesday, at the same time sought to make it clear that he was in no way questioning the central role of the Government in the post-Melissa devastation of the island’s southwestern parishes.
He and another former prime minister, Bruce Golding, have been named by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness as individuals who will play roles in the rebuilding process. Those roles have, however, not yet been settled.
Pointing to the capabilities of political parties, churches and agencies, Patterson said institutions and bodies with demonstrated mass mobilisation skills should play an integral role in the relief distribution and rebuilding process.
“And to make it absolutely clear, no one is questioning the central role of the Government. We want our parliamentary system to be used in a way to help to deal with the problem. This is not time for adversarial combat. We have to involve the political parties; we have to involve the churches, ranging across all the denominations. The evangelical, who can help to convey the message; the traditional churches that have their own history, legacy and systems; and the Adventist Church that has a tremendous national network. They must be part of the process,” said Patterson, who was at the helm during the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and several other significant storms that also caused damage to Jamaica.
According to him, Jamaica’s artistes must be included for their creativity and inspiration, in addition to their gift of time and money.
“I don’t want to call names, lest I omit anyone. Our people in sports, I spoke already about the need for community inclusion; our professionals, we have people in management. We can’t afford to have any doubt or squabbling about that. Our service clubs, who already perform such quality services to the areas in which they are allocated. This is a matter that calls for the total display of Jamaican resilience, but also bringing a new hope for Jamaica,” he pleaded as he spoke with The Gleaner at his Shortwood Road residence in St Andrew.
Commenting on the efforts so far, and whether his dream of unified approach to recovery would be fulfilled and see the nation rebuilt stronger and more resilient, Patterson said, “I hope so.”
Added the former PM, “And I think, certainly for me at this time, as one who is no longer involved in political activity, I would rather say we must make every effort to deal with the situation before we reach the point of no return, where questions of tribalism and discrimination are taking hold. Melissa made no distinction and it is some of the worst areas [that] were the last to receive attention.
“I have already said, and I reiterate that in terms of alerting the nation, preparing the nation, putting the institutions to work, the Government did what it had to do. But I should point out that some of the agencies would have been overstretched, and some shelters were damaged.”
CALL ON RETIREES
Patterson said the authorities should also think of calling out retired Jamaicans with expertise in critical areas to volunteer their services. Agencies, he added, should think of setting up satellite offices in Montego Bay for better coordination. He said that instead of staying at homes criticising, he would rather use the time to see what he could do to make things right. He urged others to do the same.
“And perhaps this is why I make it extremely clear that, as far as I am concerned, anything that I am asked to do which can be helpful, I am prepared to do. And I can say with absolute confidence that former Prime Minister [Bruce] Golding is also so disposed,” Patterson said.
“I think in the case of former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, we only have to look on her record and the main feature of her leadership and her political career. Whatever that is to be done, remember the poor, the needy, the suffering. I certainly know that that is what she would expect us to do in her name as her contribution to the process.”