Lead Stories

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

MINISTER OF Water and Housing, Dr Horace Chang, was yesterday engulfed in a cacophony of complaints which poured from residents of Tivoli Gardens who claimed that their houses were damaged during the military incursion two weeks ago.

Chang was venturing into the community for the first time since the operation was launched to apprehend Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, a suspected drug kingpin who ruled Tivoli with an iron hand.

But neither a bill nor a timeline would be forthcoming from the minister at the end of his tour.

Chang said it would require more time to obtain a realistic sense of cost to repair houses in the community.

He told journalists that his ministry was not yet in possession of a preliminary estimate of the restoration cost.

"I wouldn't set a timetable. At this time, we will have to provide shelter for those who do not have any shelter and then take it from there in terms of what we can do to restore some levels of normalcy to the homes," Chang told journalists after the tour.

"A part of what you want is to put the events of the last weeks behind us and getting their homes back in good order is critical to that," he stressed.

"We, at this stage, would really be guessing ... . This needs some serious number of man-hours and days to examine the real damage and then to look at what will be required."

Healing process

Chang said the social security ministry has a tighter timetable to restore normality to their lives.

"In terms of physical repairs, we will have to have more than one phase," he disclosed.

"You don't want too much of a reminder, as it would bring back painful memories to not only the adults, but the children, in particular, and it is part of the healing process, both emotionally and physically."

Chang left the team that accompanied him in Tivoli Gardens to spend the rest of the day to carry out a microscopic review of the physical damage wrought to the houses.

"The Ministry of Social Security has already been through and done the required surveys but we have to get a tighter lid on what will be required in terms of costs and budgetary availability."

The houses sustained wide-ranging damage, mainly to doors and windows, which were apparently pried open during the operation.

Complaining residents were quick to direct the Gleaner team to a stylish house which stood conspicuously apart.

The house sustained major damage and its contents were in disarray.

Furniture and appliances, including big-screen plasma television sets and other high-priced items, were extensively destroyed and in a heap.

A foul stench emanated from the house which, unlike others nearby, remained unoccupied.

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com