GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - The regional Government roofing seminar came to Grand Turk today at the Anglican Church Dillon Hall on Front Street. The meeting, headed by Rebuilding Coordinator, Mr. Elery James, was also presided over by the Development Control Engineer for the Planning Department Mr. Ogail Owad.
The seminar, directed towards contractors and handymen, will see the Planning Department educating said persons on roofing, and what Planning will approve with regards to the roof construction.
It was made known that roofs that have high pitches are sturdier than roofs with low pitches. The recent storms proved this theory, owing to the fact that the majority of roofs that were damaged or removed, had low pitches.
Moreover, participants were informed that the use of hurricane clips would no longer be tolerated. The Planning Department decided that only hurricane straps would be used on all roofs in the Turks and Caicos Islands instead, as Mr. James said: "The idea is to build strong, not to build fast".
The Rebuilding Coordinator went on to speak about hurricane relief materials; reporting that there are two phases in the rebuilding process - phase one begins with roofing and phase two, structure.
With regard to roofing, persons were informed that a boat containing the roofing material has arrived in the TCI and that the distribution process would be made simple. "Those person's needing these material will have to apply, and once a person is approved, they will be given the materials as it relates to the damage to there home," said Mr. James. Moreover, all roofing materials will be supplied by the Government, with the exception of nails and screws. Nevertheless, Mr. James indicated that the second phase, the structural phase, is still in the negotiations process.
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