Just under $300,000 will be spent on repair-related expenses for homes in the MICAL constituency that were damaged during the passing of Hurricane Irene, which swept through the country nearly two months ago.
According to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, the repair and restoration effort of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) began on September 19.
Ingraham was speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday morning where he gave an update on assistance delivered to communities in Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay and Mayaguana.
In Acklins alone, $152,578.40 was spent to purchase and ship building materials to be used on that island, Ingraham said.  An additional $62,000 was spent on the accommodation and transport expenses for the repair teams that were flown in from New Providence.  Ingraham said 24 builders from the defence force and the Ministry of Public Works, as well as a staff member in the Cabinet Office, were deployed to Acklins to assist with repairs.
So far, 15 of the 105 impacted homes in Acklins have been repaired.  Senior citizens' homes were repaired first.
The prime minister said another two teams comprised of Acklins residents will commence repairs on additional houses.  A second shipment of materials arrived on the island yesterday.  However, Ingraham said those efforts will be delayed as a result of complaints regarding the distribution of relief goods and the engagement of local residents.
As a result, a retired defence force officer was dispatched to the island to review the list of relief goods and the persons assigned for the repair projects, Ingraham said.  NEMA Director Captain Stephen Russell is also expected to visit the island before the end of the week.
Once the teams are selected, it is anticipated that they will complete repairs on six homes per week. Labor costs are estimated at just over $17,000.
On Crooked Island, the Ministry of Public Works identified 44 homes that were damaged and in need of repairs.  Building materials have been purchased for NEMA's repair program in Crooked Island at a cost of some $16,000.
To date a team comprised of 18 defence force officers, Ministry of Public Works employees, skilled and unskilled laborers and Crooked Island residents, have completed repairs to 12 homes.  Ingraham said $10,672.00 has been spent on transportation, accommodation and per diem for the team of 18.
Another team is to complete repairs to 15 to 20 houses.  Labor costs for those repairs is $8,638, Ingraham added.
In Mayaguana, 79 homes were identified as damaged and qualified for assistance.  Ingraham said $6,496 has been spent to purchase building materials.  He said materials have been distributed to all 79 homes.  A repair team is expected to complete all repairs over the next three weeks at a cost of $8,638.05.
Ingraham said NEMA hurricane repair teams are also being engaged in San Salvador, Long Island, Central Eleuthera, North Abaco and on Cat Island.
"In this regard, Family Island administrators are coordinating the identification of suitably skilled individuals to conduct repairs on the affected islands," he said.
He added, "In virtually all cases, building supplies are being provided to those home owners able to organize the repair of their dwellings without further intervention by NEMA.  In the case of senior citizens or other disadvantaged residents who qualify for assistance, repairs are being undertaken by the NEMA teams."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian