Rebuild with concrete, not containers, engineering groups urge after Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica Gleaner | 2025-12-03 | Original Article
Three of the leading construction and engineering groups in Jamaica are urging the Government to prioritise permanent, hurricane-resilient housing over temporary container units as the country moves to rebuild following Hurricane Melissa.
In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Institution of Engineers, and the Jamaican Institute of Architects called for "a national shift" toward stronger construction methods as the foundation of long-term recovery.
“Five weeks after Hurricane Melissa destroyed more than 40,000 homes and damaged an estimated 191,000 across western Jamaica, the nation’s contractors, engineers, and registered architects are urging a pivot toward permanent, hurricane-resilient block-and-steel, reinforced concrete, and engineered-timber housing as the foundation of national recovery,” the statement said.
The organisations warned against any long-term reliance on shipping containers as housing solutions, even as the Government moves to procure emergency units.
“We acknowledge that the Government is in the process of procuring an estimated 5,000 foldable container units; however, these units must be treated strictly as temporary emergency shelter,” the groups said, adding that the units should only be used after structural, thermal, chemical and anchorage testing, and formal safety certification.
“Container shelters cannot replace permanent housing and must not evolve into long-term ‘container communities’,” the statement stressed.
Pointing to lessons from the hurricane’s destruction, the groups said engineered construction consistently outperformed makeshift structures.
“Hurricane Melissa demonstrated that concrete walls, reinforced roofs, strong fastening systems, and professionally supervised construction significantly outperformed makeshift buildings,” they said.
Last month, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness told a news conference that the state-owned National Housing Trust is to purchase 5,000 container homes in the initial stage, some of which it will sell to individuals, while some are to be used to build housing schemes.
He says a portion will be allocated for free distribution through the Government's social housing programme.
"We have to do a rapid deployment of housing solutions and the easiest way to do this is to use the containerised solutions," Holness said.
But the prime minister has insisted that the long term solution will be about building homes and communities that are resilient and can withstand future shocks. He said a reconstruction body will be established in law to drive the rebuilding efforts.
Meanwhile, the proefessional groups have recommended a national rebuilding programme focused on affordable, code-compliant starter homes and safer construction in vulnerable communities.
They also underscored the importance of local technical expertise in rebuilding efforts.
“Our professionals work daily with local soils, materials, labour systems, and coastal and hillside conditions - knowledge essential for safe and durable rebuilding,” the statement said.
They further called for strict enforcement of national building standards as reconstruction expands.
“Professional inspection and enforcement of the Building Code must be treated as national priorities,” the organisations added, noting that they stand ready to assist the country in rebuilding safer, more resilient communities.
Hurricane Melissa slammed Jamaica on October 28 as a category 5 storm, the most intense to hit the island. It killed at least 45 persons, decimated western parishes and left more than $1 trillion in damage.
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