“Our Artistes Must Be Included” To Rebuild Jamaica Says Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson

Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has called for a united, resilient, and creative national effort to rebuild Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, insisting that artistes, churches, and political parties must all play key roles in the recovery.

Speaking with The Gleaner at his St Andrew home, Patterson—appointed alongside Bruce Golding by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to assist in post-Melissa reconstruction—said Jamaica must turn adversity into opportunity and use this moment to reshape the nation’s infrastructure and spirit.

“Melissa ignored colour, class and religion,” Patterson said. “This is not time for adversarial combat. We have to involve the political parties; we have to involve the churches, ranging across all the denominations… They must be part of the process.”

He also urged that Jamaica’s artistes be included for their influence, inspiration, and generosity.

“Our artistes must be included for their creativity and inspiration, in addition to their gift of time and money,” Patterson said.

Already, several of Jamaica’s leading artistes have risen in service to provide immediate support to the people of western Jamaica — including Shaggy, who has activated his foundation towards relief and rebuilding efforts; Sean Paul, who has helped coordinate supply drives and donations; Spice, who has been assisting displaced families; Masicka, who has mobilised food and care packages; and Vybz Kartel, who has donated through his management team to affected communities. Buju Banton packed a jet with supplies and sent Jamaica. Their actions reflect the power of culture and compassion in national recovery.

The former prime minister stressed that rebuilding cannot follow old patterns:

“For how much longer can we continue to do our utilities by wire? … If every year we’re going to have to do a replacement of our wires, we might just as well have invested, made a start in a certain area by doing what we have to do.”

He also warned against quick fixes to housing and infrastructure:

“It is no point putting on more zinc without proper battening down, only for the next hurricane to blow away the sheet of zinc that we have just put on.”

Patterson said the recovery must be guided by a master plan that is uniquely Jamaican, one that uses technology, respects the island’s topography, and reflects its cultural identity.

“We have to use this adversity to rebuild Jamaica in a more positive and creative way… building not only for this generation, but for future generations.”

He called for the engagement of retired professionals, service clubs, sports figures, and community groups, describing the effort as “a total display of Jamaican resilience and hope.”

“Anything that I am asked to do which can be helpful, I am prepared to do,” Patterson said. “We must make every effort to deal with the situation before we reach the point of no return, where questions of tribalism and discrimination are taking hold.”