By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemeida.net

THE Ministry of Public Works has started distributing cheques for roof repairs to homeowners with storm-related damage in Grand Bahama, Iram Lewis, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Public Works, revealed in the House of Assembly yesterday.

The MP for Central Grand Bahama stressed the government is doing its best to bring relief to families through the Minor Roof Repair Programme underway in Grand Bahama, but reported that only nine percent of the 6,000 applicants had met all the requirements.

"Unfortunately, only 550 homeowners have complied completely with requirements," said Mr Lewis. "I must implore all Grand Bahamians that we are doing our best to bring relief. However, we need you to help us to help you."

He said that applicants must comply with the request for homeownership documents or provide a certified affidavit.

"Once the documents are processed, and the cheque is ready we will call you to collect your cheques," Mr Lewis said.

"Cheques are presently being disbursed to homeowners who received damage," said the MP. Homes in his constituency had sustained significant roof-related damage during Hurricanes Matthew and Irma.

Mr Lewis said the government cannot continue to sustain the home repair programme and urged homeowners to follow proper building codes and obtain adequate insurance coverage.

"I am again urging homeworkers to be responsible. Let us fix our homes properly; let us follow building codes and be fiscally prudent and (get insurance for) our homes.

"This is necessary because based on what I see now this programme cannot be sustained by the government. It is not fair, and so we need to be responsible.

"The government cannot sustain this programme year in and year out because storms are now more frequent, and we experience major damage. So please do the right thing and try to help the country," Mr Lewis said.

The parliamentary secretary also addressed the status of capital works projects on Grand Bahama.

He indicated work is underway at the Fishing Hole causeway and that the Smith's Point Seawall project is scheduled for completion in May.

Mr Lewis said the government complex in Eight Mile Rock is scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2019, and that work on the new primary school is progressing well in Holmes Rock.

In Freeport, he assured that the long-awaited repairs to the Garnet Levarity Justice Centre and the post office would soon commence.

He also expressed excitement about the reopening of the Grand Lucayan Resort and putting hundreds of people back to work.

"I look forward to seeing to once again Bahamians and tourists enjoying the Lucaya strip and the Port Lucaya Marketplace," Mr Lewis said.

"I can tell you I am looking forward to the day when I jump on a plane and hear the pilot say we are number ten for take-off. I look to the day when there is a line of planes at the airport and ships in the harbour - that is one inconvenience I look forward to," he said.

The Grand Lucayan Resort closed in October 2016, leaving about 800-1,000 unemployed in Grand Bahama.

More airlift is expected to come on stream in the summer, and Bahamas Paradise Cruise, the operators of the Grand Celebration, will introduce a second ship in April.