The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Minister of Works yesterday said he will review the Building Code and its enforcement, as many Irma-demolished buildings were not built to withstand hurricane force winds.

Desmond Bannister told Tribune Business that he was "very concerned" following what he had witnessed in the southeastern Bahamas.

Speaking to Tribune Business on his post-Hurricane Irma assessment, Mr Bannister said: "One of the things that I saw that concerned me is that many of those buildings had no steel in them anywhere. They had no hurricane straps; they were not built to withstand the strong winds.

"The Prime Minister has indicated that he wants me to look at our Building Code, and we also have to look at enforcement. To the extent that local government officials, who are responsible for these things happening in the Family Islands have not done so, we are going to have to get together with them and ensure there is a system for approving and inspecting works so that people's lives are not in danger. That is absolutely critical."

Mr Bannister added: "What I saw in Ragged Island is something that I never want to see in my life. The destruction, and the manner in which the lives of our people have been so impacted, is something we have to look out for. The Prime Minister has indicated that we are going to rebuild Duncan Town as a green settlement. That is wonderfully progressive. I commend him for it. We are looking forward to that challenge."

The Minister described the level of devastation in the southeastern Bahamas as "heartbreaking". "It is heartbreaking to see the damage that people are dealing with," he said. "When I left Ragged Island, I saw Salina Point.

"I went home and I couldn't sleep, and I had to think about those people who stayed there and the circumstances that they stayed under, and hope that they will change their mind and come out of that environment for a little while and refresh themselves.

"Our prayers go out to them and we have to see how best we can make a difference, because it is horrifying to see what they have had to deal with."