Roseau, Dominica: Forty-five newly built houses were handed over by the Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, to the beneficiaries under the Housing Recovery Project (HRP) scheme on Wednesday.

As per the updates, the keys were handed over to the forty-five families under the Housing Recovery Project, which made 114 homes constructed and provided by the government to the beneficiaries with loan and grant funding from the World Bank.

The reports have stated that the HRP authority has conveyed that around 151 housing units are currently under construction, which will be presented to the beneficiaries’ families who lost their accommodation due to the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The HRP organization was established to resolve the aftermath effects of Hurricane Maria, which greatly destroyed the people in Dominica’s homes. 

The damage in housing stock crossed the mark of EC$900 million with the destruction of homes, nearly 90 per cent or partially damaged, said reports.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Skerrit has conveyed that, “Our government has never lost the vision and sight of the essential need for our people such as shelter and well-being” the government has been acting closely across the country to provide relief to the victims of Hurricane Maria”.

“The people in the Republic of Dominica can see the actions and work that we have been putting to benefiting our fellow Dominicans by providing them access to housing units of superior standards constructed with public funds”, said PM Skerrit.

On his part, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also added that “It has been joyful to aid our people with upgraded and better homes to live with peace and dignity, and such feeling of satisfaction and joy never gets old for us while knowing that we have played a part in making a positive change in their lives through such efforts”.

During the handover ceremony, Prime Minister also cited that “To empower our people in living a better and happy life among their families and loved ones in a safe environment is our top priority so that they can live with hope and dreams for a better and brighter future”.

Furthermore, it was reported that under the loan and grant agreement with the world bank of EC$110 million, around 420 housing units are expected to be reconstructed. 

During the construction process, the applicants are provided with technical, financial and administrative help and support by the authorities, said PM.

On her part, Honourable Melissa Skerrit, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, noted that the HRP had been successfully reflecting the commitment made to the residents with safer homes for the comfort and security of their families. She added that the government would continue to take necessary action to provide a better life to every Dominican.

In the end, Suranga Kahandawa, Senior Disaster Management Risk and Specialist Task Team Leader at the World Bank Mission, has also praised the regional government for investing in the strategies for risk reduction, such as building resilient houses to withstand adverse weather conditions.