Gov't to provide coupons for storm victims

Fri, Oct 28th 2016, 11:46 AM

The government will cover the cost of repairs for Hurricane Matthew victims in a certain income bracket, provide coupons for others to purchase building materials and in other cases offer low interest loans to certain people.

"You have persons in different categories who would qualify for different levels of assistance," said Labour Minister Shane Gibson, national hurricane relief coordinator, on the Guardian Radio talk show "Morning Blend" with host Dwight Strachan.

"Persons whose weekly income is $250 a week or less, they qualify for full assistance which means that we provide labor and materials for repairs.

"Persons with a salary between $250 and $500 per week -- that's household income, not individual income... we provide them with material assistance only."

Gibson said by today or early next week, the government will start issuing coupons for residents who qualify for materials only.

He added that the coupons will be in amounts of $100, $300 or $1,000 depending on the value of materials needed.

Residents can redeem these coupons at local businesses that are working with the government.

"When you have senior citizens, indigents, disabled people, they come in a special category if they are unable to provide it, pensioners, and of course we provide full assistance for them," Gibson said.

"For households making more than that, if the individual requires a loan then we will look at a loan, interest loans around two or three percent, for them to be able to have their repairs done.

"Civil servants and some government corporations... they can get three percent loans, up to $20,000 depending on their salary and their ability to pay.

"Then of course persons who own duplexes and triplexes, if they need assistance, we give loans, interest loans as well, all loans being done through the Bank of The Bahamas.

"Then of course for businesses [that] need assistance as well, we are developing, we have not completely developed it as yet, but we have already agreed in principle to give small loans, low interest loans, to businesses who were negatively impacted as well."

Prime Minister Perry Christie said last week that Hurricane Matthew is estimated to have caused $500 million in damage, but could cost up to $600 million.

The prime minister noted that the final damage assessments have not been completed.

The government passed a resolution in Parliament last week to borrow up to $150 million to help cover the cost of relief efforts related to Matthew and Joaquin, which hit a year ago.

Christie said the Ministry of Finance has advised him that Joaquin, which decimated the central and southern islands last October, could cost up to $200 million.

Joaquin was originally pegged to have caused $100 million in damage.

Matthew impacted The Bahamas between October 3-7, causing widespread destruction on several islands, including New Providence, Andros, Grand Bahama and the Berry Islands.

It remains unclear just how many people were impacted by the storm.

Residents who are in need of assistance and fall in one of the above mentioned categories can make inquires at 322-6081 or 322-6731.

Sloan Smith, Guardian Staff Reporter

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