Years of research has firmly established that Asbestos, a material commonly used in roofing construction, has been identified as a dangerous material. This material has also been linked to causing various types of cancer.
With this in mind, the Department of Housing and Local Government, headed by the Hon. Richard Frederick, together with Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques Hon. Emma Hippolyte, are bringing reprieve to the people of Palmist and Market Road in the southwestern portion of the country.
Following much consultation with residents, officials of the Ministry of Health, together with Environment and Safety officials and only after firm assurances that all processes and procedures had been agreed to by all, was a contract signed with a local contractor Matthew Nelson, for the removal that will see all asbestos roofs in government-owned housing projects in Palmist and Market Road, taken off and replaced with galvanized sheeting.
“Saint Lucians may not know that up to this moment, we still have asbestos in Palmist and Market Road as a result of houses that were built after the Soufriere fire over 60 years ago and our people are still exposed to this hazardous material.” When I presented myself to the people of Soufriere, I gave a commitment that I would try to remove these asbestos roofing.”
Also present at the contract signing were Permanent Secretary Dr Cadelia Lane Ambrose, Managing Director of the National Housing Corporation Dr Sidonia Sidonie-Volney and Head of the Project Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Housing Ovid Martyr. Housing Minister Hon. Richard Frederick noted that health and safety concerns, along with improving the general standard of living of residents, were of great importance to the Department of Housing. As opposed to a peace-meal venture, he says a more comprehensive approach with the intervention of the Prime Minister was sought.
“And so the Prime Minister, in his all-embracing style, listened and understood. He understood that in 2023, you cannot have people living in a house or any facility covered with asbestos and so he made the funds available, sent it to us and asked us to deliver alongside the District Representative to at least bring some reprieve to those people.”
Minister Frederick said even more development activities, compliments the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, were in the offering for residents of the southwestern district in particular Moca, with about 15 households soon to benefit from Deeds of Sale.
The passage of Tropical Storm Bret early into the 2023 Hurricane season battered government housing in Palmist and Market Road, forcing officials to act even more expeditiously in having the asbestos-laden roofs removed. Members of the public are asked to take the necessary precautions during the asbestos removal phase.
“We would like to ensure the public that we are very cognizant of the impact we are going to have on the lives of residents/ We are trying as much as possible to minimize that effect and have a program in place where we are going to engage residents and document everything before we start, the entire process and the finish product.”
Residents of Palmist and Market Road are especially asked to keep doors and windows closed and wipe down surfaces as much as possible during the period when work will take place in the community.
The Department of Housing and Local Government says it is looking forward to working with members of the community to ensure a safe and incident-free period of work.
stlucia.loopnews.com
https://stlucia.loopnews.com/content/palmist-market-road-residents-get-asbestos-roofing-replaced-678106
