Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Natalie Neita Garvey has urged her Government counterpart, Desmond McKenzie to examine, what she says is the failure of the country’s disaster response mechanisms, following yesterday’s 5.6 magnitude earthquake.

Mrs Neita Garvey lamented that the country did not receive any communication from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) until late Monday evening.

She emphasized that the Disaster Risk Management Act, which was passed in 2015, entrusts the Office with significant responsibilities in Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and emergency response management.

She stressed the importance of ODPEM being an independent voice and called for Minister McKenzie to address any weakness that may prevent the organization from fulfilling its mandate.