Tobagonians are getting help protecting their homes from potential damage in the event of a natural disaster.

At Wednesday’s (November 2) post Executive Council media briefing, Secretary of Settlements and Labour Deon Isaac said his Division has introduced the Disaster Mitigation Programme. The initiative was recently approved by the Assembly’s Executive Council.

“Over the years, we’ve recognised that there are times when individuals may be prone to damages to their property as a result of natural disaster,” Isaac said. “The Tobago House of Assembly has been stepping in time and time again to assist individuals when instances of that nature takes place.”

The programme is designed to mitigate the effects of a disaster due to bad weather conditions, which can be caused by events such as flash flooding and strong winds.

Isaac is asking Tobagonians to make use of the programme, which will reduce the need for assistance following a national disaster.

“We want to encourage homeowners to apply for this programme to be able to get hurricane straps put on your houses, to be able to get mini retaining walls to protect your homes,” he said.

Isaac is also advising Tobagonians to apply to the Division’s Beneficiary-Owned Land Programme, which will assist land owners who are seeking to construct their homes.

Tobagonians will be able to get up to $50,000 dollars to “commence construction” on their property. The figure can also be “used as seed money to take to a financial institution,” or to purchase materials to begin construction, Isaac said.

The Secretary also announced that the Division will have another land distribution draw on November 17.