PM orders removal of riverbank dwellers

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has instructed the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to begin the process of removing people, who live on or near riverbanks.

Addressing a meeting of the National Disaster Committee at Jamaica House on Wednesday she said the practice is dangerous and requires immediate action by the authorities.

The Prime Minister says this is necessary to ensure lives are not lost in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.

Simpson Miller notes that with the start of the hurricane season on June 1, it is important that the country is prepared for any disaster.

The national Meteorological Service has indicated that the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be less active than usual.

Weather experts are predicting six to 11 named storms this year.

However, the Met Service is warning against complacency, noting that dangerous tropical storms have occurred during hurricane seasons which were forecast to be less active.