BUILDING BOOM IN FULL SWING AS MELISSA RECOVERY CONTINUES…LOCAL GOVT. MINISTER WARNS THAT IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION REGULATION WILL ACCOMPANY INCREASED ACTIVITY
Jamaicans are fully invested in the national recovery process as the country continues to manage its Reconstruction phase, seven months after Hurricane Melissa.
Local Government and Community Development Minister Hon. Desmond McKenzie made the declaration as he made his contribution to the Sectoral Debate on June 3. He revealed that the encouraging levels of construction activity follow a trend of significant activity prior to the Hurricane, where between January and September 2025, 3,764 building applications were submitted, representing an 11% increase in the number of applications received, and an investment value of J$46.1 Billion. For this same period, the monetary value of the number of applications that were approved, was $164.2 Billion.
The Minister pointed out that construction activity after the Hurricane is even more impressive. “Between January and March this year, 1,377 applications valued at $68.8 Billion were submitted. The records show that this number of applications far exceeds total applications received for all Quarters, dating back to the April to June Quarter of 2023. Critically also, the analysis reveals that more people are applying for Building Permits, to ensure the structural integrity of their projects.
The most significant increase of 11%, was in building applications for small residential developments under 300 square metres in size. This signals strong activity to rebuild houses, small businesses and factories. 71% of the applications approved were done within 90 days, and the investment value of these approved applications stands at $36.1 Billion.”
Minister McKenzie also indicated that the continued acceleration of the Development Approvals process is critical to the success of the Reconstruction Phase. He specified that it is intricately connected to the responsibilities of the Municipal Corporations in their capacity as Local Building Authorities, and to the improved enforcement of building standards through the revised Building Code, which will be implemented in this Financial Year. “A critical feature of the new Code is that buildings are to be constructed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
There will also be stronger enforcement powers for Municipal Corporations, mandatory compliance checks, and stricter penalties for illegal construction in high-risk zones. The enforcement capacity of the Local Authorities will be strengthened, as the Ministry of Finance has given approval for a revised Establishment structure for the Municipal Corporations, which will facilitate the employment of more Building Officers.
The Minister also indicated that there has to be an improved public attitude to the efforts to improve buildings standards and spatial integrity. “…there has to be a clear understanding and acceptance among our nationally and locally elected representatives, as well as the general public, that it will not be business as usual. Long-standing reckless and dangerous practices will have to be replaced with order as the new normal in the built environment.”