Berbice woman stumped by unfulfilled promise to rebuild house

A West Coast Berbice woman is eager for the government to fulfill a promise to help rebuild her home which was flattened by a freak storm two weeks ago.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo led a delegation comprised of officials from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and members of the Regional Democratic Council in Region Five to assess damages persons suffered during a freak storm on September 18, 2017. The roofs of several houses were blown off during the unusual weather event.

Sheila Harrichand’s house at Bath Housing Scheme collapsed during the freak storm. During the visit of the Prime Minister and other officials on September 21, Harrichand was assured that her house would be back up before the end of that very day. But to date, she is still waiting.

When the official delegation left, Harrichand said a construction worker visited her and began doing some work. The worker returned the following day but the works were left incomplete because the worker claimed there were not enough materials to complete the job.

She stated: “I went at the Region [the Regional administration] and they keep telling me they will start. It is almost two weeks now I am like this. The contractor said they’re talking with CDC and were told that they send up a truck with materials and I don’t know if it reached up here.”

So far Harrichand’s home was built up to about three feet off the ground and she must kneel to get access to the lower flat where she is currently occupying to sleep, eat and cook. The lower flat also does not have flooring.

The Prime Minister had said he was satisfied with the willingness of the Regional Democratic Council in Region Five to help the affected families.

The head of the Civil Defence Commission, Retired Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup had disclosed that talks are ongoing with the Private Sector Commission to procure lumber and zinc sheets which will be transported to the Region Five Democratic Council for distribution as needed.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Ramsarup told News Room that the CDC earlier faced difficulties in transporting the materials to the region but the situation has since been rectified. The materials are now at the Regional Democratic Council and it is up to the Region to distribute it.