NATIONAL OFFICE OF DISASTER SERVICES

Two hundred homes on the sister-isle Barbuda with damage ranging from levels 1 to 3 have had their roofs repaired so far. That’s according to Major Alando Michael.

That’s according to Operations Officer for the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), Major Alando Michael.

Major Michael notes that presently there are ten contractors on the ground and it is anticipated that another 40 homes will be completed in the next two weeks. According to Major Michael, the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) received building materials on Friday with more expected over the coming week.

So far, electricity has been restored to 94 homes and another 64 that have passed inspection are awaiting reconnection. In addition, water is available throughout Codrington and sixty-two homes now have running water.

Water and electricity have also been restored to the Sir McChesney George Secondary School and repairs are being carried out on the school’s fence.

Major Michael reports that the Codrington Airport is operational with regular flights by SVG Air and Fly Montserrat.

Work has also been completed on the sporting complex which can house up to 30 persons at a time; however presently it’s unoccupied. He indicates that NODS is seeking to establish three shelters ahead of the 2018 hurricane season. These shelters have been identified as the Sporting Complex, the Community Centre and the Secondary School.

Meanwhile, with just a few weeks to go before the start of the 2018 hurricane season, Major Michael indicates that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be undertaking a cash-for-work programme.  The aim of this programme is to clear the island of debris which could become missiles in the event of another storm hitting the island.