Reggae legend Buju Banton has ignited public outrage after claiming that vital hurricane relief supplies he helped fly into Jamaica were stolen upon arrival at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport. The humanitarian cargo — reportedly carrying generators, stoves, Starlink equipment, and barrels of food — was part of a relief mission organised through the Buju Banton Foundation and led by Jamaican-born pilot Captain Barrington Irving Jr., following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa across western Jamaica.
In an emotional series of videos posted on social media this week, Buju accused airport personnel or handlers of theft, expressing frustration and heartbreak over what he described as a betrayal of trust. “We working hard and we try fi do things fi we country. Unu tek forever fi give wi the cargo, and when the cargo come out, Starlink missing, stove missing… and the barrel dem half empty,” he said. “Nothing neva happen to Kingston. There’s no reason for nobody a Kingston fi a thief nothing from the people dem a Jamaica.”
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz has since responded publicly, calling Buju’s allegations “serious” but urging the artist to follow proper procedures. “Buju, you and me know each other long time. Thank you for all your efforts with the relief for Hurricane Melissa. But if you have an issue, you can reach me. Give me the information and let me investigate it,” Vaz said. “To go public on social media and bring the effort into disrepute is not helping anybody.” He added that more than 300 relief flights have arrived in Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa and noted that no other complaints of theft have been reported.
The relief mission, spearheaded by Captain Irving’s team, involves multiple Boeing 737 flights from South Florida transporting up to 50,000 pounds of aid per trip. The Buju Banton Foundation joined the effort to deliver food, shelter, materials, and equipment to communities in parishes like Hanover, St. James, and Westmoreland — among the hardest hit by the storm. Authorities have yet to confirm Buju’s allegations, but the issue has sparked heated debate online about accountability and transparency in Jamaica’s disaster relief process.
As investigations unfold, many are calling for tighter security and greater oversight of aid shipments. Meanwhile, Buju Banton maintains that his only goal is to ensure the aid “reaches the people who need it most.”
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