Skelton-Cline lambasts RDA for building more 'igloos'
Calling the structures 'igloos' he said, "What I am challenged by is that here we are, more than two years now outside of the hurricanes of 2017, and the rains of August of the same year... I can't understand why are we still building temporary housing of this nature two years removed from the tragedies," Skelton-Cline told his listening audience on the Tuesday, November 5, 2019, edition of his 'Honestly Speaking' radio show.
'We want locals to get contracts'- Skelton-Cline
However, while he has signalled his disapproval for the project, the man of the cloth said he is in favour and celebrate local contractors being the recipients of such contracts, "and their businesses are growing and persons are working, so I applaud that."
Over on the facebook page of the Virgin Islands RDA, it is noted that the contract was signed for the installation and upgrades of temporary housing solutions on Jost van Dyke.
The contract was inked with Rajah A. Smith of No Limit Construction on October 28, 2019, and valued at $171,679.70. Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) and Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) were also present at the contract signing.
"As we continue on the road to recovery, the RDA is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Health and Social Development for the installation and upgrades to temporary housing units on Jost van Dyke. The works include the installation of two new temporary shelters and essential connections for electrical, plumbing and sewerage systems across a total of seven sites," the release said.
This project is funded jointly by Unite BVI, a private donor and the Government of the Virgin Islands and, according to the RDA, this is the second contract to be signed under the initiative.
"The first was signed on September 30, 2019, with Mr. Roy L. Garraway of Quality Construction for the construction of temporary housing units on Tortola and Anegada. The scope of works for that project included the installation of two new units, one on Tortola and the other on Anegada with two further recipients receiving utility connections to existing structures.
Buildings changing landscape & character of VI
"It just seems like to me... I am challenged why we are not further along in doing more meaningful and substantial things other than assembling these igloos," Skelton-Cline said.
Calling for more permanent and sustainable buildings, he said the VI is not the Abaco Islands which was just ravaged by Hurricane Dorian of 2019 to be littered with such buildings.
“When I see these things [temporary buildings], yes there are persons in need... but even these things being in Anegada or Jost van Dyke, I see some in West End... It begins to change the character of this country in terms of building and I am baffled and dumbfounded by some of this stuff',” Skeleton Cline said in noting his displeasure.
"These things that are supposed to be temporary have a way of becoming permanent and it concerns me on both fronts," he said.
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24 Responses to “Skelton-Cline lambasts RDA for building more 'igloos'”
This is shameful to say the least!
Thank you Claude for your honest speaking!
B**hing, moaning and complaining whilst watching organised groups of volunteers from outside come in and help. Where is all the local help for these people? They get these igloos because no one has helped them and they are desperate.
Get off your arse and help!
Many know nothing about real struggle, true oppression and actual poverty (we forget that a grandparent telling us about it is NOT the same as living the experience ourselves), but we shout and scream from our SUVs, with our inherited land, super-fast speedboats and dual passports, like we're truly the suffering of the world!
This attitude helps to shield us from God's obligation to be kind, thoughtful, caring and taking responsibility for ... anything ... except how we look and our selfish pursuit of material accumulation.
A true man of the cloth would spread the positive, give context to our real world, and point us to God's grace instead of stirring up this ignorance.
Why is it an igloo? I have no idea. My guess is because it was cheaper and quicker than a normal structure, and possibly arrived here as part of some emergency housing aid scheme post-Irma.
Either way, the point remains – complaining that the standard of help being given is not as perfect as you would like it to be is a sure sign that you are spoilt. Real needy people put up with all kinds for long periods and are grateful for any shape of shelter if that is what they need.
Note: I am not saying the person housed in this igloo is complaining or spoilt! I'm saying we BVIslanders mostly have it so good these days that we sound like spoiled brats sometimes, even while using the language of the truly oppressed.
However, the attitude may be grounded in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization. For example, a person who is homeless and hungry can give a rat’s ass about a play at the Eileen Parson Auditorium at HLSCC. The elitist on the other hand may be giddy about belonging, esteem and self-actualization.
Moreover, undoubtedly, as the territory rebuild from the damages, it cannot rebuild in like kind. It must and should focus on sustainability, resilience and mitigating potential risks. The rebuilding effort is not a binary decision; it can rebuild yet meet the temporary housing needs of residents.
Is **** willing to forgoe a portion of his $16,333.00 monthly salary to assist in building houses for displaced citizens?
As a “man of the cloth” he should consider it.