M&M supports rebuilding efforts in St Elizabeth

M&M Jamaica Limited, one of Jamaica’s premier engineering contracting and project management companies, has committed $6.5 million to assist families in south St Elizabeth with recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The parish was among those hardest hit by the hurricane’s passage.

A company release noted that the financial support includes a $1.5m payment to NEMS Hardware, $2.5m to Williams Hardware and another $2.5m committed to communities scattered across St Elizabeth. The funds paid directly to hardware stores will help over 200 families with the greatest need. Organisations/entities including the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), The Red Cross and USAID carried out a combined assessment of the worst hit areas and did a needs analysis to be able to determine in an equitable manner the beneficiaries of the M&M Jamaica driven support. Beneficiaries will receive vouchers to take to the participating hardware store nearest them to purchase needed building materials. Vouchers given to respective families will be valued at either $30,000 or $40,000.

One recipient, Glandeen Ebanks shared her joy as she collected her building material from NEMS Hardware: “We literally saw the water rising in our house, and the roof lifting piece by piece. When the whole roof went, I realised my family wasn’t going to be normal for quite some time. We are so thankful for the building material; it almost feels as if we are getting our lives back.”

Member of Parliament for South Eastern St Elizabeth Franklin Witter is quoted as saying: “By now we all know that the destruction left behind in the wake of Hurricane Beryl is devastating and heartbreaking. With the level of displacement so far-reaching we are pulling on as many willing partners for the people of St Elizabeth to be able to have their lives restored. When I contacted M&M Jamaica for help, there was an immediate ‘yes’ followed by their generous donation”.

Deputy Managing Director Richard Mullings explained: “Our company strongly believes in our commitment to the communities we work in, our projects go beyond just pipelines and roadways, we take genuine interest in improving lives.”

He expressed “We are hopeful that this assistance will help with ongoing rebuilding, strengthen community spirit as people bond together to assist each other, sharing the skills and time needed to repair houses, workspaces, farms, shops and other essential facilities in ruin as well as bring some relief to those who are suffering.”

The release noted that ‘with its major presence in the national landscape the company has undertaken many of the country’s infrastructure projects, always operating with a commitment to responsible development.’

M&M Jamaica Limited recently completed a major agricultural irrigation project in the Essex Valley area of South St Elizabeth, seeing the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl, the company knew it had to support post hurricane restoration efforts in that parish.

M&M Jamaica’s connection to the community is not limited to its construction projects, the company was founded by Donald and Winnifred Mullings, natives of St Elizabeth, as a team they have supported multiple outreach initiatives in the parish over many years.