Seaside dwellers to be relocated

Some persons living in vulnerable, seaside communities will soon be relocated.

Cabinet is studying recommendations made for the phase by phase relocation of persons living in the “sea water’s mouth”, Howie Prince, Director of the National Emergency Management organization (NEMO) told SEARCHLIGHT this week.{{more}}

He said that government remains committed to the post Hurricane Ivan (September 2004) relocation project that will eventually see the end of all those types of settlements.

This is good news for some residents of Mangrove, Byrea, who are hoping that they will be relocated as soon as possible.

“I put down my name, but up to now I don’t know what they are saying. I will do anything to move because now is hurricane season again,” said Arel Ellis.

“Water does come in the house. Every time people coming and say we moving, but nothing happen yet. If I could have moved by myself I would have moved but I need help, I can’t afford to move on my own,” said Ginella Hoyte, who also lives at Mangrove.

Prince, however, told SEARCHLIGHT that there are different packages being considered for the residents of these various vulnerable areas.

“Like an old person with no children and things like that will get a one bedroom house and have her life interest in it. When they die the house returns to the state,” Prince explained.

He said that packages will be based on the individual situations, and in some cases, as was announced last year, some persons will be given credit up $16,000 for their house, which will go towards them organizing to pay for the properties being provided for them.

Some 30 low income houses and 45 plots of lands are already in place in Byrea, Langley Park, and Sandy Bay to start the relocation process.

Prince told SEARCHLIGHT that government is in the process of acquiring more lands in various areas to facilitate this programme.

This in addition to what was done last year August with the passing of Hurricane Dean.

Five one bedroom low income houses were given to families who were affected by the storm surges that accompanied Dean.

Another 10 houses were also made available for affected families in Sandy Bay.

When Dr Gonsalves toured the affected areas following the passage of Hurricane Dean, the Prime Minister was adamant that persons living in these dangerous places must be relocated or risk losing their lives.

“These people need to be relocated as a matter of great priority, because they are now in great danger of losing their lives if we have another sea surge,” he said back then.

He also noted that the problem of global warming and it’s bedfellow, rising sea levels, added to more frequent and severe hurricanes, make disaster preparedness, including the dismantling of these seaside settlements a matter of high priority.

When the residents are re-settled, the lands that they previously occupied will be handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for replanting.