by Linda Straker
- Build Back Better houses constructed through the Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation
- Homes described by Minister Williams as capable of withstanding hurricane similar to Beryl
- Physical Planning permission not required to construct following a disaster because it’s part of the recovery process
Ron Redhead, Public Relations Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is of the view that the Government did not have to receive permission from the Physical Planning and Development Authority (PPDA) for the construction of the Build Back Better houses that are being constructed through the Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation (MIT) following the passage of Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Beryl, described as a deadly and destructive tropical cyclone, had a wind speed of more than 120 miles per hour when it hit Grenada on 1 July 2024. It devastated mainly the northern part of Grenada, with Carriacou and Petite Martinique being hardest hit. Beryl caused near-total devastation on Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with reports indicating that more than 90% of buildings were either damaged or destroyed.
Following the passage of the hurricane, the government announced different initiatives to help homeowners rebuild and or repair homes. One of the projects is the Build Back Better initiative. These homes are described by MIT Minister Andy Williams as capable of withstanding a hurricane similar to Beryl.
When asked if the houses are being constructed through the MIT ministry, Redhead who was at the time speaking in at a news conference on 4 June 2025 to highlight achievements of the government in observance of the party’s third anniversary of administering the affairs of the country, said that permission is not required to construct following a disaster because it’s part of the recovery process. “The issue of recovery is not the same as if someone needs permission to construct a dwelling home. You cannot say that the government is not building houses fast on one end, and on the other end, you are trying to say we must go through this and that and so on. The point is, recovery calls for expediting the process, and that is what we have done,” he said.
Justifying the decision to construct the houses without formal approval, he said that the PPDA was involved with the design. “They gave their comment because essentially this was the basic method used to have the approval, and so they have to come on site, do the visit, look at deficiencies, make recommendations, which they did.” He added, “So it is not a case where the government is separate from planning, so its one government, the planning authority will have its stipulations like in ordinary circumstances, but in the case of rebuilding of recovery post Hurricane Beryl, this has to be expedited and homes have to be built as fast as possible and what we did in essence, was to get the approval from the pilot and then proceeded.”
Section 79 of the 2016 Physical Planning and Development Control Act clearly states “This Act binds the Government,” while Part IV section 16 which is subtitled “Development Control” states that no person shall commence or carry out the development of any land in Grenada without the prior written permission of the authority.
The legislation states “the development of land (unless the contrary is proved, the burden of which lies on any person charged) if that person has commenced the laying out of roads, the laying of water pipes, the clearing or levelling of land, the filling of ravines or swamps, or the construction of any building or any preparatory work which might indicate an intention thereby to improve the land or increase its value or make it in any way ready for any type of development.”
Minister Williams has confirmed that several Build Back Better houses are currently under construction, while approximately 2 dozen have been fully completed and handed over to homeowners in the areas hardest hit.
Section 79 of the Physical Planning and Development Control Act 2016 is pellucid and cannot be gainsaid. Those in Government who pretend otherwise are acting irresponsibly and are setting a dangerous precedent by emasculating the Act and defying the rule of law without which our country cannot survive. Consider the damage when that law has been ignored in the past e;g the breakwater at Sauteurs.