Access Period to be Extended for Revolving Loan for Hurricane Victims

Minister of State in the Ministry of Water and Housing, Everald Warmington, has said that the access period for the US$2 million revolving loan, which was provided by Venezuela two years ago, will be extended in order to provide additional housing for victims of Hurricanes Dean and Ivan.
The State Minister, in his presentation in the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House, on Tuesday (July 8), informed that as part of the prerequisite for disbursement, the loan must be accessed within two years.
However, Mr. Warmington noted that he had held discussions with the Venezuelan Ambassador to have the August 15 date extended and has received a favourable response. “I have also held discussions with the Principals of Racar Ingenieros of Venezuela, a construction company and a fabricator of pre-fab housing units, with the intention of utilizing this loan facility to complete the relocation project at Burkefield, Old Harbour Bay,” he informed.
The State Minister also informed that Racar Ingenieros had provided the documentation for the New Prefab PC System, which consists of pre-cast concrete. He said these units will be done in Venezuela and assembled on site in Jamaica.
“The 270 square feet studio units are estimated to cost in the region of US$39.00 per square foot. Some 25 of these units can be erected per month,” he further noted.
He said 130 of these units at Burkefield were to have been provided for Hurricane Ivan victims, but only 75 were constructed. “This loan facility can provide up to 300 units, and it is our intention to provide the outstanding units for the Hurricane Ivan victims from this loan, and also begin the construction of the units for Hurricane Dean victims,” Mr. Warmington explained.
He reiterated that “every Jamaican, regardless of socio-economic status or political leanings, would have the right to live in decent homes and decent communities supported by adequate infrastructure including adequate supplies of water and proper sanitation.”