By Regina Thomas on Monday, 9 May, 2022 at 02:49 PM

Minister of Housing, Lands, and Maintenance, Dwight Sutherland promises Barbadians steel-framed houses will be completed by August.

Last year July, 150 families were displaced after Tropical Storm Elsa destroyed their homes.

The Government of Barbados imported steel-framed structures that were to be assembled by December 2021 to create homes for those affected by the storm.

Therefore, some Barbadians have been questioning the progress of the project given it has been five months since December, and families are still without homes.

Minister Sutherland explained there were numerous challenges that hinder the project from completion but their [Government of Barbados] aim is to have the houses finished in four months.

In a press statement released by Government Information Service, Minister Sutherland said firstly “two strong storms” in China delayed the shipment of the materials to Barbados.

Secondly, a team of technical personnel was required to travel from China to Barbados to aid in the erection of the homes but only two were able to obtain visas. This led to local workers having to be trained which was another delay despite it proposed employment opportunities for Barbadians.

 It was also revealed the steel houses’ plans would have to be restructured to meet the standards of Barbados which included reassessing the structures, foundations, electrical, and plumbing of these homes so they were viable to house individuals.

Minister Sutherland added, General Elections, the Christmas holiday, and theft of materials at work sites led to further interference.

“Our [Government of Barbados] first priority is on rushing these 150 houses to completion before we move too far into the upcoming Hurricane season,” he reassured the public, apologizing to the recipients of the homes for the extended length of time it has taken to deliver the houses.