THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE studied with ever increasing concern the published photographs of damage to dwellings and other buildings throughout Jamaica in consequence of Hurricane Ivan, both by wind and by water. What has worried me the most as I view these pictures are the manifestly inadequate building practices which are clearly apparent where buildings constructed of concrete blocks are concerned.
The reason I say this is because I have searched in vain for evidence of adequate (or any) amounts of steel being used as would be the safe and normal custom, and so it is hardly surprising that these buildings collapsed like a deck of cards. In today's Gleaner (Friday, September 24) I observe the rebuilding taking place in Portland Cottage as depicted on the front page of your publication, and I must again express my disbelief when I see a mere three pieces of reinforcing steel poking up from a small foundation of concrete blocks for a new building. I am well aware of the costs involved, but surely building codes exist, codes which should be rigorously enforced, so that future hurricane damage will not present such disastrous results.
The already overburdened taxpayers of this nation now face the additional expense of relocating and/or rehousing people left destitute as a result of the loss of homes and businesses - a loss which could have been at least mitigated if not totally avoided by the proper use of reinforced concrete block procedures.
I am not a building contractor and do not claim to have any knowledge in this field, but plain common sense tells me that these buildings are unable to withstand the elements of wind and water. Heaven help the inhabitants should we ever suffer a major earthquake!
I am, etc.,
DOROTHEA WHITEHORNE J.P.
Ocho Rios, St.Ann
Editor's Note: As reported on Page One of today's issue the Prime Minister has issued a stop-order to halt the rebuilding in Portland Cottage.
