The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE National Emergency Management Agency yesterday signed agreements to build two homes in the southern Bahamas as part of rebuilding efforts related to Hurricane Joaquin.

Captain Stephen Russell signed agreements with two Acklins contractors, each expected to construct one-bedroom structures in Mason’s Bay and Salina Point, Acklins, respectively over the next two months.

Arthel Gibson and Steven Rose were awarded the two contracts yesterday. Both men are residents of Acklins.

The signings covered the initial two of 25 homes expected to be built at various locations throughout Acklins, Crooked Island, San Salvador and Long Island now that government officials have concluded their assessment efforts in the southern Bahamas.

The structures carry a price tag of $41,000 for single bedroom units, $54,000 for two-bedroom units and $66,361 for three bedroom units. All price points that are projected cover the cost of materials and labour.

However, Capt Russell did admit that some contacts will vary due to land preparation and construction variations that could come as a result of septic and foundation digging.

NEMA is expected to travel to these various destinations over the next two days to assess sites, and sign the remaining 23 contractual agreements.

According to Capt Russell, 14 of the 25 homes proposed to be built would be constructed in Long Island - the island with the most “widespread damage.”

Last October, The Tribune reported that roughly one tenth of the homes assessed by NEMA teams dispatched in Long Island have been rendered “completely destroyed” in the wake of Hurricane Joaquin.

The report indicated that 159 of the 317 homes assessed to that point had received minor damage as a result of the storm.

Capt Russell also explained that NEMA has already finalised shipping details for supplies headed to Acklins and are working to conclude shipping details for the other destination by the end of the week.

He said: “Once the materials are on the ground in time, (construction efforts) should run eight to nine weeks the most. We hope to have the materials moved into position on time. We want to have supplies en route by Monday, if not, Tuesday the latest.”

The government had earmarked a total of $3m for NEMA to carry out its homes repair initiative in the wake of the massive category four storm. Capt Russell yesterday confirmed that to date, NEMA has already used roughly $1.7m of that amount.

“From assessments that we received, we found that some 1,222 homes needed some degree of assistance and looking at our figures over the past week we have completed about 200 homes. These are homes that the government would have paid for through our repair teams, but there are hundreds of other persons that we would have given supplies to carry out their own repair efforts.”

Capt Russell said NEMA has now been tasked to carry out an audit exercise to determine if those supplies given were used to repair homes, and to assess what other work needs to be carried out at these locations moving forward.

Last year, Prime Minister Perry Christie proposed that it would cost almost $57 million to repair government buildings and infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Joaquin.

He later adjusted that estimation to a total cost of $100m.