MARIGOT--An operation is underway to repair or replace the roofs of homes occupied by elderly and vulnerable citizens, even families with very small children, who have not been able to secure their properties up to now.
This has been a major concern for President Daniel Gibbs and the Territorial Council, and as a result, five million euros was earmarked for this major repair operation.
The Collectivité’s Department of Solidarity and Families, of which Third Vice-President Annick Pétrus is in charge, identified 440 homes located in Sandy Ground and French Quarter as being eligible for the scheme dubbed “Operation 500 Roofs.”
The Sustainability Department under Fourth Vice-President Steven Patrick then awarded the necessary contracts to select the companies participating in the operation.
Four local public works companies were mandated to carry out these roofing projects and three local suppliers of materials, with which the local authority opened an account so the roofing companies could obtain materials.
The first building work took place in the last week of July at the home of Elise (91) in French Quarter, located just behind the Catholic church, whose roof and openings were literally blown away by the hurricane. Since then, while waiting to be able to return to live at home, Elise has been staying with her daughter, coincidentally named Irma.
Work on homes should follow one after the other throughout the summer so that as many as possible of these 440 homes can be roofed and families can start living with dignity again.
Gibbs reminded at the last Territorial Council meeting that he had made every effort to ensure this operation was carried out.
It was not possible to carry out this work earlier, as it was not until the budget was voted in April that the five million euros could be attributed, the most appropriate arrangements drawn up, and the corresponding public contracts then awarded within the mandatory legal deadlines.
