Grenada: The Reconstruction Continues

Staff Article
December 16, 2004

Grenadians are steadily rebuilding their country after the devastation brought about by hurricane Ivan. Traveling around the country everyone that I met was able to provide very graphic and interesting stories about what it was like to actually experience the fury of hurricane Ivan. Many people remained in their houses during the passage of Ivan and experienced the horror of seeing their roofs ripped away, then being drenched by the heavy rain. Buildings that were used as shelters during the hurricane also received severe damage so people there were not spared the horrifying experiences.

Nutmeg tree falls close to dwelling house Photo: Eshe

Known as the Spice Isle, Grenada is a relatively small island with a population of approximately 89,000 people. The devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ivan has negatively affected Grenada’s top two revenue earners: spice and tourism. Many of the nutmeg trees were either uprooted or stripped bare of the leaves by the powerful hurricane winds. A nutmeg tree takes about 25 years to grow to maturity.

Grand Anse is a popular destination for tourists because of its lovely beach and many of the hotels in this area, such as the Flamboyant, had their roofs blown off and are presently engaged in reconstruction. There is a high demand for skilled workers to support this reconstruction and labor is being sourced from Trinidad, Guyana and other surrounding islands. Some hotel workers are now working as construction workers in the reconstruction of the hotels that they were employed in. Junior Francis an official at the Gravels, Concrete and Balusters Quarry in Queens Park stated that this quarry can meet the present demand for gravels and blocks in the country but cement and galvanize have to be imported.

Collapsed roof of Stadium Photo: Eshe

The Queens Park National Stadium suffered tremendous damage and reconstruction work has not yet begun on this facility. Junior Robertson a security guard at the stadium stated that reconstruction work would start next year.

T&TEC crew replacing damaged power lines at Richmond Hill Photo: Eshe

The Queens Park Power station received only minor damage during the hurricane, but there was extensive damage to the distribution network of transmission lines and transformers. This power station has the capacity to supply the whole Island with electricity but because of the damaged transmission system it is now only able to supply a few areas. As a result temporary generators have been installed in Sauteurs, True Blue and Grenville. There are workers from Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) helping to plant poles and repair transmission lines in an effort to restore the transmission system. The land line telephone system is still not functional so Grenadians rely largely on mobile phones for communication.

Canadian workers reconstruct Grenada homes
with temporary blue tarpaulin Photo: Eshe

Many people have been able to source building materials to rebuild their homes and some have insurance coverage to help with their rebuilding efforts. However there are other people who have not yet been able to start reconstructing their homes and there are Canadian aid workers helping to provide temporary housing for them. These temporary houses are built with wooden floors and covered with blue tarpaulin.

Hurricane Ivan is an experience that is painfully etched in the memory of Grenadians and many still suffer from the trauma of losing all their possessions. Some people are still waiting on Government assistance to rebuild their houses. Life for many Grenadians is slowly returning to a state of normalcy, but it is by no means an easy task. The lush greenery that was ‘eaten’ by the hungry hurricane is returning to the landscape, a powerful symbol of hope for many Grenadians. Many schools were damaged and presently only some schools have resumed normal classes. In fact, some Grenadian students are being accommodated in schools in Trinidad. For ordinary Grenadians, the immediate concern is moving on with their lives. Dr. Mitchell, the Grenadian Prime Minister has expressed optimism that Grenada can recover from the damage within five years.

Check out the Grenada album at:
http://www.triniview.com/album/grenada

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