Senator Morris calls for ‘special fund’ to fix homes damaged by Beryl
Published:Saturday | July 13, 2024 | 12:10 AM
As many Jamaicans struggle to deal with the challenges brought on by the destructive force of Hurricane Beryl, Opposition spokesman on Housing and Sustainable Living, Professor Floyd Morris, is calling for a special fund to be established to assist residents whose homes have been partially or totally destroyed by the storm.
Hurricane Beryl has left many homeless in several parishes, particularly those along the southern coast of the country.
According to Senator Morris, “Hurricane Beryl did extensive damage or destroyed the homes of thousands of residents across the island.”
He said the devastation comes at a time when many are experiencing major economic challenges.
According to Morris, the Government should lead the recovery process by establishing a special fund to assist affected residents in rebuilding their homes.
“Some of the drawdowns from the various contingency sources for natural disasters should be used to establish this special fund,” he added.
Assessment of damage
Further, Morris is urging the Government to engage organisations such as the Red Cross, the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA), and similar non-governmental organisations to conduct the assessment of damage to homes of residents and for them to make the necessary recommendation of assistance to be given.
“The recommended names and amounts of assistance should be given to designated hardware stores in communities for distribution once the Government completes its review and approval. The hardware stores would then be paid from the special housing fund,” Morris explained.
He stressed the need for fairness and transparency in the recovery efforts, saying, “We must ensure that the recovery efforts are fair and transparent and that only those affected by Hurricane Beryl receive the benefits.”
The Opposition senator also suggested that general consumption tax (GCT) on construction materials purchased by residents receiving housing support should be waived.
“It makes no sense for the Government to provide housing assistance and then deduct 15 per cent from it. This reduces the assistance being given, and one must remember that the beneficiaries will also have to find funds to pay for the transportation of materials. Therefore, waiving the GCT is common sense,” he argued.