|
Gustav leaves multi-million-dollar damage |
|
|
|
|
Sunday, 07 September 2008 |
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Government has estimated that it would have to shell out J$8 billion (US$114 million) to repair the island's road network and bridges which were damaged when Tropical Storm Gustav dumped heavy rains on the island last week.
Transport Minister Mike Henry told the Observer newspaper Monday that assessments are still being carried out, but he suggested the final figures would not be too far from the estimates, given the extent of the damage across the island.
He said Cabinet was examining the various avenues, such as multilateral agencies, through which funds could be sourced to carry out the repairs. However, the minister was not very hopeful about receiving an international loan since he said Jamaica may not qualify for such aid because Gustav did not hit the island as a hurricane.
"They may say it is not even a Category One that hit us, just like they tell us we are not poor enough for certain things," Henry said.
The storm, which left 12 people dead here, caused major infrastructural damage especially in the eastern parishes of St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas. There was also heavy damage in the central parish of St. Catherine.
Communities such as Hagley Gap and Pen Line in St. Thomas were up to Monday still cut off, due to damage to the road network.
Residents of Beach Gate in Nine Miles in the parish have also been marooned.
Gustav has also left several homes in affected parishes without water and electricity after utility lines were damaged when the storm barged onto the country's shores last Thursday.
|
News 
