Foundations being built for container houses will allow for future expansion of units

The Government is ensuring that container houses now being erected for victims of Hurricane Melissa have sturdy foundations that will allow beneficiaries to expand their houses in the future.

This assurance was given by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Robert Montague, who outlined that the initiative aims to provide solutions that will address the needs of affected families and accommodate future expansions.

Montague was speaking to journalists while touring container home construction sites at Harmony Lane and Wanstead Road in St Elizabeth on Thursday, October 22.

At Harmony Lane, where a unit is being placed for beneficiary, Prissena Morgan, Montague said that keen attention is being paid to the foundation.

“We are building the foundation with resilience and with the future in mind because we believe in building better forward,” he noted.

The Minister added that the Government is placing emphasis on monitoring construction of the homes to ensure that they are being built in accordance with the programme’s objectives.

“Staying in Kingston in the office, reading a report is not good enough. That is why we are on the road looking with the community at the building with contractors to let them know that this is a programme that is serious,” he said.

At Wanstead Road, where a container home is being built for Deta Skeen, Montague said the beneficiary, who lost her home during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, has dedicated years of service to the upkeep of the Santa Cruz Transport Centre and other public areas in the town.

He said that it is heartwarming to see help being given to someone who has served the community for many years.

Montague also emphasised that the foundation of that dwelling was designed to accommodate future expansion without requiring additional foundation work.

For her part, Skeen recounted the difficulties she and her family underwent after Hurricane Melissa.

She noted that the decision was made not to go to a designated shelter and, instead, she spent two months at the market with her family.

“I was traumatised because I have never seen anything like this in my life. So that’s the reason why every day I have to give God thanks,” she said.

Skeen expressed gratitude for the help being given and outlined that the new home will help her family to rebuild their lives.

Meanwhile, Morgan, who also lost her home and all her belongings during the hurricane, welcomed the construction of her house.

She recounted that she sought shelter at the Santa Cruz Primary School, where she also received food supplies.

Morgan expressed gratitude for her new home, stating that the dwelling would mean a lot for her family.

In his remarks, Councillor for the Santa Cruz Division, Christopher Williams, welcomed the construction activities, noting that the division was among those hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa. He also appealed for patience from other residents awaiting housing assistance.

“We know we have other persons who are on the list who are also waiting, but we just continue to ask them to be patient,” he said.

The visits formed part of a tour by Montague of container home construction sites in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland.

- JIS News

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.