Leaked PNP Voice Notes Reveal Plans to Delay Hurricane Melissa Relief

Leaked PNP Voice Notes Reveal Plans to Delay Hurricane Melissa Relief

By HowJamaica Staff | 2026-07-29

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, a political scandal has erupted following the leak of private voice notes from members of the People's National Party (PNP). The leaked audio allegedly features executive members discussing strategies to delay the government's hurricane response through the National Recovery and Rebuilding Agency (NaRRA).

The Controversy

Instead of condemning the two executive members who suggested delaying relief efforts, party representatives have deflected questions. When asked if the officers of the party had identified the individuals in question to face disciplinary action, spokespersons pivoted the conversation to attack the media.

In a recent press briefing, a PNP representative avoided condemning the statements, stating: "What I think is instructive is that a certain media house [Nationwide Radio] decided to publish select voice notes from a chat they had access to... and refused to share the other positions."

Dodging Accountability

The leaked audio reportedly included a councillor suggesting that through local authorities, they could "obfuscate or try to delay any aspects of NaRRA that could be of a benefit" to the ruling party.

When pressed on whether they could assure the Jamaican people that no PNP member would get in the way of NaRRA's duties, the representative declined to offer a direct assurance, instead stating that the leader of the opposition had already made their position clear internally.

Meanwhile, months after Hurricane Melissa, many Jamaican families remain under tarpaulins while billions of dollars languish in accounts. The PNP maintains that they simply want an accountable and transparent reconstruction entity, but their refusal to condemn the leaked voice notes has left many questioning their true motives.