The number of families affected by the wrath of recent flood waters is climbing. Information Minister Melford Nicholas speaking at the post-cabinet press briefing on Wednesday made this disclosure.
He said:“the number is under revision but it is upwards of 500 at this stage…” “The reviews being conducted have seen the level ones which are the most severe cases tick upwards, based on a second view of what has taken place in the field. There are more and more persons under consideration,” he continued.
As a direct result, the Minister disclosed that a further $1 million has been allocated to the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) who is championing the cause of assisting with the repairs of now squalid and dilapidated homes.
Beds have already been distributed to several parties who lost their furnishings as a result of the continuous downpour and leaky roof and several wooden homes are to be raised in order to prevent flooding again.
But labour costs are to be kept as low as possible using the HAPI Program, the skilled men and women of the ABDF, and National Housing carpenters and masons, the Cabinet notes revealed.
Nicholas went on to say that the government also has proactive plans to cast “ a wider net” and “identify persons who are living in those marginal circumstances where their homes may be tattered and they may be exposed to the elements in times of inclement weather.” The Minister declared that no citizen in need will be neglected.
“The water damage was significant enough to warrant some intervention by the government and we are not going to be leaving any of our citizens or residents behind. We are going to do everything necessary to respond to these particular needs,” he declared.
