Dominica is taking stocking of the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in a “Lessons Learned” analysis.
Following the passing of Hurricane Maria, The Dominican Government including officials from the Ministry of Planning, are zooming in on what’s left behind from the 2017 monster hurricane.
A number of stakeholder consultations are revealing that closer attention must be paid to the rebuilding of roofs. Researchers inform that to a large extent, failure of structures, in particular roofs of residential buildings, could possibly have been reduced if builders, contractors and homeowners adhered to the building code.
“Hurricane Maria was a very catastrophic hurricane for Dominica. It affected about 90 percent of our buildings and destroyed about 60 percent. Because of that, the Planning Department which is mandated under the physical planning act to guide the development of Dominica, took the initiative to hold a [Lessons Learned] consultation,” explains Physical Planner, Planning Division, -Annie Edwards
The Dominican Government has embarked on a number of other initiatives like educational programmes ,targeted at builders, contractors, other stakeholder and the general public. So far, consultations are ongoing with Engineers, Architects, Contractor Organisations, the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management, the Dominica Bureau of Standards, the United Nations Development Programme and Engineers Without Borders. Development Control Officer at the Physical Planning Division, Naomi Dorival informs that the her department is conducting round the island training activities with key stakeholders before the rebuilding begins.
“We have taken this method of going into the different districts, because we want to ensure we reach as many builders and contractors as possible and provide them with this essential and critical guide as we go through the build back and renovation process, post Hurricane Maria,” informs Dorival
The Physical Planning Department partnered with OECS iLAND Resilience Project will be producing a brochure highlighting building best practices, targeted to builders and homeowners. Jingles and PSAs aimed at the general public is also in the works.
“Lessons Learnt Analysis”, apparently much emphasis is being put on material destruction , as oppose to mental and psychological demised of the populace. No amount of initiating, planning, or executing will be delivered, until the MINDS are renewed, Please Dominica, don’t put new wine in old vessels, a new awakening is truly needed.
All of this is fine and good but will do no good without enforcement of building codes and fines to contractors who fail to follow the codes. There should be building inspectors to go out to the construction sites to ensure compliance and levy fines if the construction crews are not following the codes. Dominica cannot afford anymore of this and outside help will not always be there.
The government should organise squads of workers under professional building supervision to selected area around the island and ensure that the materials are made available.The task is beyond the capabilities of individual house owners.
My impression is that the government does not want to get involved even though they are obligated to do so more than they are doing right now.
They are supposed to do more than just give advice.
What kind of lesson will Dominicans learn instead is more Evil
And hatred lured upon individual people by de masser pharaoh
And Hitler I see Dominica going no where under that government
You mean ‘taking stock’.
Very important this initiative. Two questions come to mind; the affordability of building according to building codes (One should be mindful though that nothing lasts forever, what was hurricane proof 30 years ago is no longer the same at present), and the time given for the duty free concessions. With approximately four more months left of the six months given, for duty free concessions on building materials, If training is still going on, then this implies the 6 month window is definitely not enough.