EDITORIAL - Let’s be proactive

In the last few weeks since the region had the unpleasant experience of being visited by not one, but two category five hurricanes, it has brought to the fore now more than ever the vulnerability of our small island developing states (SIDS) to natural disasters.

We have seen countries totally flattened as in the case of Barbuda; and we have seen significant destruction and devastation in neighbouring Dominica. These realities are both heart-wrenching and eye-opening, for as we see the destruction left in the wake of Irma and Maria, it reminds us that in spite of all the gains we have made and the development we have seen socially and economically, we are all but one natural disaster away from having all those accomplishments ripped right out from under us.

This therefore should make the powers that be in the region recognise the importance of establishing systems to safeguard our countries as best we can. Foremost on that list should be a mandatory regional building code, which looks at the nuances of the Caribbean, together with the best practices in the international building industry, to devise a plan to best help our buildings withstand the impact of a major hurricane or earthquake. We are in this together and must work together to safeguard each other.

The idea of such a code is something that regional leaders seem amenable to, as just this week Chairman of CARICOM, Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell, called for such a code to be created; and just last week, regional economist Dr. Justin Ram put a case for countries in the Caribbean to have stronger building codes.

They recognise that the region is sorely lacking in this area, and we think it is imperative that the region moves with alacrity to start work on such a code now. Given the destruction we have seen, it is clear that the state of our housing and building stocks across the Caribbean is not up to scratch. Here in Barbados, we only have to cast our minds back to Tropical Storm Tomas to recognise that our housing stock is not in a very good condition.

Now by nature, building codes are often considered crucial upon reflection of a tragedy and not seen as a necessary precaution. But, the fact is that such a document can go a long way in reducing deaths, injuries and damage to property, which would in turn reduce the need for public or private aid when disaster strikes. It also gives a degree of comfort to the owners of the buildings, that certain standards have been taken into consideration as it relates to the soundness and safety of the structure, no matter where the architect, structural engineer, builders or materials originate from.

But it must be noted that even if such a regional code is created and made law, governments will have to put in place the necessary checks and balances to ensure that persons are not only abiding by it, but that there is adequate training and resources available to those who will have to enforce it. Where there is a will there is a way and we certainly hope that such a code can be more than a pipe dream and that we can see it come to fruition, drafted and in place, in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, however, we would encourage all professionals in the building sector across the Caribbean to do their due diligence and comply with the provisions of their respective codes. But where some may be inadequate, draw on the best practices of the good ones to protect our people, our property and our livelihoods.