Residents on the islands of Acklins, Rum Cay and Cat Island that have been displaced since Hurricane Irene's devastation last August could be moving into their new homes by summer.
Captain Stephen Russell, director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), pointed out to Guardian Business that plans have been approved to build 19 homes on those three islands, most of them in Acklins, at a cost of $700,000.He said this is good news for these residents, as they have been forced to live with relatives since the hurricane's passing.
"We have approval to commence home reconstruction on three Family Islands. In Acklins, 12 will be rebuilt, two on Cat Island and two on Rum Cay," NEMA's chief noted.
"So far, we have visited both Rum Cay and Cat Island and met with contractors.  We also examined the sites where the homes will be built and met with the potential recipients of these homes," he shared.
"I will travel to Acklins with the recipients of those homes and physically see the properties where the homes are to be built, and I want to meet with local contractors to confirm who will get the contracts to rebuild those homes in Acklins."
After visiting those islands, Russell said his team is satisfied that the building materials can be shipped to Rum Cay and Cat Island.
He is projecting that by month's end, 19 contracts will be awarded so that the homes can be constructed shortly after.
"I estimate that those 19 homes will be constructed in two to three months in Acklins, Rum Cay and Cat Island," Russell said.
"Just over $500,000 has been allocated for the 12 homes in Acklins. In Rum Cay and Cat Island, roughly $100,000 at least for two homes in each of the islands.  For the three-bedroom houses, they should take about two months to complete."
Russell told Guardian Business that NEMA is working with Ministry of Public Works and Transport officials to find local contractors to build these homes.
In the short term, Russell said this rebuilding exercise will bring with it employment opportunities.
"I see anywhere from five to seven people being hired to work on these homes at various phases.  It all depends on the contractors and their needs to get the job done," according to Russell.
Russell admitted that rebuilding these homes will be costly, which is why he and his team in some instances are looking at unoccupied property near damaged homes to rebuild on.
"In some instances, it will be required to demolish homes but we are going to try where we can, if there is an adjacent property, to build a home for the recipients," he explained.
"We will try that first because it is probably just as expensive to break down an existing home to build another home and that could be pretty costly."
"In Cat Island and Rum Cay, we have identified adjacent spaces in those two islands where we can build new homes next to the old homes instead of having to expend the funds to tear down at this time."

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