Local contractors want integration in container home solutions

As the Jamaican Government prepares to purchase thousands of container homes as a rapid response to the housing stock devastated by Hurricane Melissa, Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) President Richard Mullings is urging that local contractors not be sidelined but fully integrated into the rebuilding effort.

Acknowledging the “difficult situation” facing the country and the urgent need to shelter thousands of displaced Jamaicans, Mullings stressed that the Government must adopt a multi-pronged strategy.

“So if we have contractors here in Jamaica ready to start with resources and capabilities to build concrete homes for persons, are we investigating that option? Are we seeing where we can utilise them efficiently to get that done simultaneously while we procure these temporary [units]? Have we utilised all the available tools?” he asked.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness recently announced the Government’s intention to use “pre-built containerised modular solutions” as it seeks to rapidly rebuild the housing stock destroyed by Hurricane Melissa.

He said the National Housing Trust will purchase 5,000 of these container homes in the initial stage, some of which it will sell to individuals, while some are to be used to build housing schemes. A portion will also be allocated for free distribution through the Government’s social housing programme.

Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on October 28, damaged nearly 156,000 homes, including 24,000 total losses. The Category 5 storm affected roughly 900,000 people and caused an estimated US$8.8 billion in physical damage.

Strengthen local capacity

Mullings added that Jamaicans must be engaged in rebuilding their own future. While acknowledging the country’s chronic skilled labour shortage, he argued that this challenge also presents an opportunity for the Government to strengthen and sustain local capacity.

“If there is any issue finding labour, the Government could make it possible not just for foreign companies, but for local companies to import labour and to fill the gap. But that really only comes up after we’ve done an assessment,” he said.

Dayton Wood, president of the Jamaica Developers Association, told The Gleaner that hotels, established businesses, and private homes will be hard pressed to find available small contractors. He also noted the potential for short-term shortages of building materials.

Wood agreed that container homes can serve as a temporary measure, but stressed the urgency of rebuilding thousands of damaged homes – particularly those belonging to low-income Jamaicans.

“Many buildings – shacks, zinc structures, or poorly built concrete houses with inadequate roofing – just could not withstand Category 1, much less Category 2, 3 and 5 storms ... . So, the rebuilding for those folks is going to be something that has to be addressed immediately to put them back in some kind of shelter,” he said.

Awaiting clear direction

Mullings noted that local construction firms are already on the ground contributing expertise and resources, but said the sector is awaiting clear direction from the National Reconstruction Resilient Authority, which was established to lead and coordinate the national rebuilding effort.

“The step one is planning and coordination – who is directing how many homes we need to start repairing within the first year, the second year of the year, five and so on. Who’s directing how many schools are gonna repair and according to what schedule? How much resources are available and how much do we need to bring in? How many persons do we need to train?” he said.

He further underscored the importance of adhering to building codes and implementing proper regulations to ensure resilient infrastructure.

“Right now there is no regulation to define who is a contractor and that is often why the average Jamaican may have an issue with – or concerns about – the quality of construction because persons who are not qualified to be contractors may be calling themselves contractors,” Mullings said.

sashana.small@gleanrjm.com