Cyclone Pat aftermath: government aware over 60 homes still unrepaired, owners seek action
More than 60 homes on Aitutaki remain unrepaired two years after Cyclone Pat devastated much of the island in February 2010.
The Herald has been informed that at least three lists of affected home owners are in government’s possession.
Near the end of 2011, former Island Secretary of Aitutaki forwarded a list containing more than 60 names of owners of homes still to be repaired, to the Cyclone Recovery Committee set up by government.
The Ministry for Infrastructure had a list of 27 home owners.
A third list of the owners of 34 homes who attended a public meeting at the Ureia Hall on 20 February 2012 was forwarded to Finance Minister Hon Mark Brown on 10 March 2012.
Incidentally, a report in CI News of 21 October 2011 had government saying the Cyclone Pat recovery was officially over.
Those whose homes are still not repaired are disturbed that initially, after being told their names were on the list of homes to be repaired, the criteria then changed three times. At each change, it appears some of their names dropped off the list but with no explanation as to why.
Some of those involved suffered loss of income with the damage to their tourist accommodations, daily tours to the motus, fishing and small shops. Some are unable to begin bone fishing tours because of the damage to their homes.
Aitutaki MP Hon Teina Bishop has indicated Aitutaki’s three MPs had no say in deciding which names went onto the lists. All decisions rested with the former Mayor and Council who were responsible for applying the policy and criteria. As to whether that criteria was applied properly or fairly, has not been subject to independent audit.
To date the Herald has received no response to the questions it put forward earlier to the Ministry for Infrastructure on the unrepaired homes.
Those who own homes which are still in a damaged state now have the added worry of the likelihood of destructive hurricanes this season according to a report from SPREP issued on 4 July 2012. Many of these home owners are already under mental stress over their predicament and they will not welcome any additional cause to be worried.
As mentioned earlier in this paper, government should take a fresh look at all these cases and provide assistance based not on stringent criteria but on humanitarian grounds. Anyone needing help should be helped.
One affected home owner has suggested a new plan be devised to complete the final phase of the re-building of the existing unrepaired homes. He suggests that this plan be developed by the Mayor, who heads the Island Administration and CEO responsible for the island budget and island councilors following recent changes to the administration of the outer islands. He says Aitutaki’s three MPs must also be included as an integral part of the new team and that there should be collaboration with Cabinet who is responsible for sourcing funding whether locally or from overseas. -Charles Pitt

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