— Regional Chairman reports
CHAIRMAN of Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Mr. Senor Bell reported yesterday that Mahdia residents are doing well and the community is continuing on the road to recovery since the disastrous fire. Millions of dollars were lost and lives threatened last July 1, when several business places and dwelling houses in the main shopping area, the Arcade, were razed to the ground by the blaze of suspected electrical origin.
The area wiped out was in Central Mahdia where the fire disrupted operations in the mining community.
Since then, the government pledged $25M for the rebuilding effort, $20M for the construction of a new arcade and $5M for the development of 36 acres, near Mahdia airstrip, into a housing scheme for displaced families.
Bell said Housing Ministry officials are working on the project and are pushing for an August 9 completion.
“Once the weather holds we should be okay,” he said.
Bell said the land will accommodate approximately 136 house lots, measuring 60 feet by 100 feet and 90 feet by 100 feet.
He said, apart from the 28 families affected by the disaster, another 30 had applied for lots in that area since 1995 and they will, most likely, be the first recipients.
Bell said there has been no word yet on the funds promised for the building of the new arcade but the money might not pass through the Regional Administration and will be disbursed at a different level.
“Things take time but, for now, we are happy about the direction in which we are headed,” he said.
The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is spearheading the coordinated response to the Mahdia emergency by government agencies and non-governmental organizations.