BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 28, 2017 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Homeowners applying for duty concessions on the purchase and/or importation of building materials to repair damages experienced during the passage of the recent hurricanes are being encouraged to invest in more modern home designs that can improve resiliency in times of natural disasters.
The six-month duty free concession initiative was introduced by the Team Unity Administration on Saturday, September 28, as part of the Government’s efforts to help to restore normalcy to the lives of all persons in the quickest time possible after the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, said the passage of the two category 5 hurricanes should serve as an awakening call for citizens and residents to adopt better practices that can lead to a more resilient St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I think the kind of damages we are seeing – the frequency – must bring to the attention of the national community that we have to build to last for a longer period of time. This idea of people building shacks has to become outdated; this idea of the large quantities of galvanize that are used for fencing, we have to find much more resilient approaches because in the end, these galvanize, these thatch houses about the place can become missiles that can create damage to life and to property,” Prime Minister Harris said, while assessing the damages after Hurricane Maria on Wednesday, September 20.
Speaking with the Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, September 28, Building Inspector at the Department of Physical Planning, Mr. Orrin Hughes, stated that persons should consider concrete and galvalume roofing in lieu of the traditional wooden structures.
Mr. Hughes said, “Galvalume is a viable option, however, the application is what it comes down to in determining whether or not the roof stays on. You would find that if it is not done properly with the right amount of screws and spacing that is required, then you can find yourself in a bad situation. Concrete roofs might be the better option design right now with respect to hurricanes.”
However, Mr. Hughes noted that the architectural designs play a crucial role in determining if those roofs withstand or succumb to the type of winds St. Kitts and Nevis experienced as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria – irrespective of the style of roof chosen.
“If the roof is flat, it has a wider surface area in which to pull against, as oppose to if the roof is steeper it would channel the wind shears upwards which takes away that suction capability. So one of the things that the designers or architects need to look at is the pitch of the roof and stay away from designs of what we call “lean-to-roofs” or plat-pitched roofs,” Mr. Hughes explained.
Application forms for the duty free concessions on building materials are available at the Ministry of Finance, the Treasury Department, Inland Revenue Department, NEMA and via the Ministry of Finance’s website at www.mof.gov.kn.
Designated persons are stationed at each location to assist applicants in understanding and completing their application forms.
