PNPYO enters NaRRA debate, questions executive powers and oversight limits

The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNP YO) has rejected the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill in its "current form", escalating the political debate over the proposed legislation.

"The current NaRRA Bill lacks essential checks and balances, creating an authority with sweeping powers over billions of dollars while stripping away the safeguards that protect public funds," it said in a statement on Saturday, echoing concerns already raised in Parliament.

The youth arm of the Opposition said that while it recognises the urgency of post–Hurricane Melissa reconstruction, “good governance cannot be sacrificed for speed.”

It cited Opposition spokesman Peter Bunting, who has described the legislation as “a blank cheque without guard rails,” and warned it could enable the centralisation of decision-making power while weakening regulatory oversight.

The PNPYO also raised concern over indemnity provisions within the bill, which it said could shield officials from accountability for actions taken in office, with taxpayers potentially bearing legal costs.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has called for the bill to be reviewed by a joint select committee, citing governance concerns including the absence of a statutory board.

However, in a notable development referenced by the youth group, former Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, a Member of Parliament from the governing Jamaica Labour Party, broke ranks during last week’s parliamentary debate.

She warned that the bill in its current form risks concentrating excessive power in the hands of the minister and chief executive officer, and that some functions "may collide" and undermine accountability.

The PNPYO said Malahoo Forte's intervention underscores the legitimacy of its concerns and insisted that even voices within the governing party are recognising flaws in the proposed structure.

“Young people should not abandon our responsibility to safeguard the nation’s future,” the statement said. “True leadership demands that we stand on behalf of every Jamaican and insist on accountability.”

The organisation also took aim at the governing party’s youth arm, Young Jamaica, for its endorsement of the bill, arguing that young people should not support legislation that risks concentrating unchecked authority.

On Sunday, the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s Area Council 3, which covers St Ann, Manchester and Clarendon, passed a unanimous resolution supporting the NaRRA Bill following a presentation by Minister with responsibility for Works Robert Nesta Morgan.

That endorsement, according to the JLP, reflects growing confidence within the party structure in the bill’s purpose and necessity as Jamaica seeks to strengthen its disaster recovery and resilience framework.

The bill has also been defended by State Minister Delano Seiveright, who has argued it is intended to reduce bureaucratic delays in reconstruction while retaining oversight through Cabinet control, audits and reporting requirements.

The NaRRA bill represents the Government’s second attempt at establishing the authority, after Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness withdrew the initial version amid public criticism.

Debate in the House of Representatives is expected to continue on Tuesday.

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