Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has hit back at veteran dancehall icon Beenie Man over criticism of the Government’s Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts, declaring, “Don’t tear down your country”, as Jamaica marks one year since the devastating Category Five hurricane. Speaking at the reopening of Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth on October 28, Holness cited more than $300 million spent repairing the facility and pointed to ongoing work across the parish, while acknowledging that the national recovery had not been perfect.
The Prime Minister suggested that Beenie Man and other critics needed to see the rebuilding efforts firsthand before passing judgement on the Government’s response. Referring to the hospital reopening, Holness said he had wondered whether the Minister of Health had neglected to invite the dancehall star to the ceremony, arguing that witnessing the repairs would give him a clearer picture of the money being spent on recovery. He also highlighted work being undertaken at nearly 10 health centres across St Elizabeth.
Holness maintained that Jamaica had benefited from its disaster preparedness and risk management strategy, which he said had helped the country respond to the hurricane. He argued that critics travelling overseas should also acknowledge the country’s achievements, noting that Jamaica’s preparedness had received praise from regional observers. The Prime Minister further cited the restoration of electricity in comparison with Puerto Rico, arguing that Jamaica had restored power in a shorter period.
However, Holness conceded that the recovery effort had experienced shortcomings, insisting that the response should be assessed in the context of the hurricane’s unprecedented impact and the resources available to Jamaica. He described Melissa as exceptionally devastating and said the storm’s impact was equivalent to 54 per cent of Jamaica’s 2024 gross domestic product. He urged Jamaicans to speak openly about what had gone wrong while also recognising what had gone well.
The exchange comes as Jamaica reflects on a year of rebuilding following Hurricane Melissa, with questions surrounding relief spending, infrastructure repairs and the pace of recovery continuing to shape public discussion. Holness has called for greater national unity, but his response to Beenie Man underscores the tension between celebrating the country’s resilience and holding the Government accountable for the challenges that remain.
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