Investors urged to play their role in coastal protection when building

Head of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDMA) Ronald Jackson is warning property owners and hotelier to keep a safe distance away from shorelines when building.
During the agency’s latest press conference following Irma, Jackson indicated that the Caribbean’s coastal assets are under threat.
Jackson again warned about building too close to shorelines after visiting the islands of Barbuda, Anguilla and the BVI, post Irma. He says building too close to the shoreline has a negative impact on the environment. He also cautioned that investors must take into consideration that the reefs need to be protected and allowed to regenerate to help break the very waves that threaten the hotels.
Jackson recommends that property owners consider these two things before building their structures along coastal waters.
The head of CDEMA observed too that some buildings were able to withstand the full impact Hurricane Irma.
He says its shows that the Caribbean is capable of building resilient structures.
Meanwhile, the government of Antigua and Barbuda says moving forward, it will ensure that structures are built according to code.