The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL kvirgil@tribunemedia.net CONSTRUCTION of 13 homes destroyed in the southeastern Bahamas during hurricane Irene will soon begin as building supplies worth $400,000 were shipped to contractors late last evening. Yesterday, NEMA director Captain Stephen Russell said at the Potter's Cay Dock that this shipment is the largest to be sent to any island since the relief efforts began following the storm in August 2011. The supplies will build 12 homes in Acklins and one home in Long Cay. They were transported by the mail boat Lady Rosalind II and are expected to arrive tonight. Contractors on both islands, Mr Russell said, are waiting to receive the supplies and begin the work, which should be completed in four to 10 weeks. "Three weeks ago, I visited Acklins along with the finance officer and signed contracts with contractors to rebuild those homes. We pledged to get the supplies to them as soon as we could. "All of the materials that are required to build those 13 homes are on this vessel," Mr Russell said. This relief effort is a part of the government's $3 million initiative to help those badly affected by hurricane Irene. According to Deborah Hanna, the accountant for NEMA, just over 95 per cent of the money has been spent to date. Following the category three hurricane, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials toured Cat Island, Acklins, Inagua and Long Island to see the wreckage first-hand and meet locals who weathered the storm. Their visit to Acklins revealed completely demolished homes, roofs torn from buildings and flooding.