PHILIPSBURG--Repairs to the first batch of fourteen seriously damaged homes have started and are progressing well.
Twenty-six homes with “minor repairs” have been technically assessed, and contracts are to be signed by the National Recovery Programme Bureau (NRPB) for these in the coming days with the supervising engineers and the main contractor.
Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, in making the progress report at the Council of Ministers Press Briefing on Wednesday, said the principal works are repairs to roofs and replacement of windows and doors. These works will be executed with minimal inconvenience to the homeowners, where possible.
The bidding process for the remaining homes that have qualified for repairs is ongoing.
The emergency repairs to the social houses managed by St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF), are also nearing completion. Resources from the Dutch government-financed St. Maarten Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund via NRPB have been allocated to this project, in addition to reimbursements to SMHDF for expenditures for hurricane repairs executed from its operational budget.
NRPB Director Claret Connor will sign the contract with the supervising engineer firm and main contractor for the repairs and improvements of 13 shelters (eight main hurricane shelters and five recovery shelters). These works will commence immediately upon signing of the contract. The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI has played a critical role, said the prime minister.
NRPB is also finalising the contract for the repairs of the Radiosonde Building. It is expected that the contract will be signed within a week. Works on this critical building should be completed swiftly.
The preparation of the second phase of the repair to the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay Police stations has started. This phase concerns the repair of the roofs and ceilings/interior walls and is funded by the Trust Fund.
As part of these repairs, the electrical and mechanical insulation of both stations will be redesigned and installed. However, the funding for these works is from the insurance proceeds, and VROMI is responsible for these works.
Firefighters will soon have new suits. A total of 136 suits were recently ordered using Trust Fund financing.
The NRPB’s website will go live this week. It will provide details about and the progress of the Trust Fund projects, active and upcoming tenders, information about events and other items.
