Rebuilding not going to be easy – PM

The task of acquiring funding to begin the rebuilding process in the aftermath of the torrential rainfall which wreaked havoc on sections of the eastern coastline is not going to be an easy task.{{more}}

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves at a press briefing last Tuesday, April 13.

The recent devastation comes within months of the passage of Hurricane Tomas, which also had adverse effects on some of the areas affected by the recent events.

Preliminary estimates of the damage caused by the heavy rains have been placed at tens of millions of dollars, according to the prime minister.

“It’s difficult, there’s no question about it,” he told members of the media.

Gonsalves, who is expected to leave for Taiwan tomorrow, Saturday, April 16, said that he has already spoken to the Taiwanese and will be looking to see what resources will be made available to him.

He added that the Cubans had already been contacted and had been offering technical advice.

Gonsalves said that he had already engaged the Venezuelan Ambassador and that a tour of the affected areas had already been arranged, as the government will be seeking to obtain some financial assistance from ALBA.

Discussions between the prime minister and representatives from the World Bank were expected to be held Wednesday in an attempt to structure some immediate assistance, Gonsalves said.

Qatar had already pledged some assistance to the recovery efforts following Hurricane Tomas. However, Gonsalves said that he may have to approach Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa for more aid.

He further contended that the government may have to obtain a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and to what extent he can float some bonds in order to fund the cleanup efforts.

The other issue, however, was the waiting period.

According to Gonsalves, some donor agencies required lengthy procedures before the finances could be made available.

“I can’t wait,” he said, adding that the bridges at Byera and Basin Hole needed to be repaired with some urgently.

“I have to rebuild houses because we have to get people out of the shelters, people have to be in their homes and we need to get students back in the classroom,” Gonsalves explained. (DD)