It has been estimated that it will take over $214 million to rebuild the housing stock on Barbuda.
In a 76-page report compiled by the government of Antigua and Barbuda assessing the damages caused to the sister island as a result of the passage of Hurricane Irma in September, it was revealed that the majority of the buildings sustained little or no damage.
An assessment was reportedly done of 1, 273 buildings of which 307 were categorised as level-two, receiving some damage to the roof, windows, wall and door. Based on the report, 282 are listed as level-one, which means they received little damage and is habitable. Both combined total 589.
Structures receiving major damage amount to 547.
The report categorised 257 homes as level three, meaning more than 50 per cent of the roof is damaged or missing, while 290 buildings that were destroyed have been tagged at level four.
One hundred and thirty-seven structures were not categorised due to the fact that they were abandoned, under construction or needed further analysis.
The report dated November 2, 2017, also showed the damages sustained by other sectors with a total recovery cost estimated at US$222.2 million or over EC$600 million.
While the housing sector heads the list in terms of cost for recovery, tourism follows behind at $188 million and the transportation sector with $78 million.
The government has earmarked $31 million for incorporating disaster risk reduction into the process.
Recovery for electricity is $22.2 million, education – $17.1 million, health- 19.8 million, environment – $13.5 million and governance and culture $6 million and $ 3 million respectively.
Telecommunications is $1.8 million, fisheries – $1 million, while water is $938,000 and agriculture $700,000.
The recover needs assessment identified a resilient housing/building reconstruction programme for Barbuda which meets existing building codes and includes proper engineering supervision.
It also recommends a thorough building structural assessment of Codrington, and a strong capacity building component.
There is also recommendation for an upgrade of the most affected secondary road network, and for underground cabling of the power network.
The government, headed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, has been on a drive to raise the required funds to rebuild Barbuda.
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As you know Barbuda is at or below sea level you need bunkers.
Why not put solar on every building and not rebuild the power network. This will only cost 5,000 usd per house and paid for after 3 years to 4 years.
Well said my brother Matt. There is nothing in that report where they are trying to cut cost. $600 million must be another Utopia
I want to believe that if all that amount of sand wasn’t taken from the island. Bunkers wouldn’t be needed. I guess that the people who benefitted from the removal of the sand can deal with bunkers and whatever else is necessary.
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