By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
VENEZUELAN SOLDIERS being deployed to assist in the rebuilding of Brighton, Westmoreland, are to be based in that community.
Danville Walker, chief executive officer of the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR), led a scouting mission to Brighton on Saturday to inform residents of the latest development and to identify a camp site to accommodate 40 Venezuelan soldiers.
Brighton suffered massive damage from the tidal surges associated with Hurricane Ivan.
Work is slated to start in two weeks. The soldiers, who are skilled in engineering and construction, are bringing their own equipment into the island.
"The soldiers will be coming to live among you, and it is your responsibility to treat them well. They could have gone to other communities in need of assistance but Brighton has been selected," Mr. Walker told residents.
NUMBER OF HOUSES
The Venezuelans will liaise with the Jamaica Defence Force and will work directly with the community, Mr. Walker said.
Dean Peart, the Minister of Land and Environment, told The Gleaner that the exact number of houses to be constructed had not yet been decided. That figure, he said, will be available after the land has been identified.
"Our survey shows that we lost 19 houses, but we will be building more. After we have identified the land we will know for sure the exact number of the houses that are to be constructed," said Minister Peart.
