Hurricane Irma "was revealing of the dysfunctions of the past" in Saint-Martin, judged last Friday, the interministerial delegate for the reconstruction of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, Philippe Gustin, in an interview with the Parisian.

"The occupation of the island must be rethought in a sustainable way, keeping in mind that this paradise can in a few hours become hell," explains Philippe Gustin, appointed by the government just after the hurricane that ravaged the Northern Islands. He had to give, last Friday, his report on the reconstruction, but the latter will ultimately remain confidential, because his recommendations must serve as the basis for a future memorandum of understanding between the State and the local authority of Saint-Martin, said his entourage at AFP.

Urban planning police

More than two months after the passage of the hurricane, Mr. Gustin believes that it is necessary "to ensure that the first waves of works and reconstruction do not affect the future".

"Our action must mark a ridge line between what is incumbent on the State

and what's in the communities, "says Gustin. "This involves in particular the establishment of a real urban planning police force and a strengthening of the State services, which had not previously given itself the means to ensure its legality control", insists he.

Impose a construction guide

He notes that, from 1982 to 2000, the population of Saint-Martin “has quadrupled. Part of the development, and in particular urbanization, took place in an anarchic way (….) We have seen buildings being constructed in metal and glass ”, such as“ the media library, inaugurated in 2014, and which was logically blown by the winds of Irma, ”he says. It is necessary, according to him, "to identify the risks" and "to impose a guide of the construction", with "principles of good sense": "do not nail the sheets, but to screw them; install solar panels so that they do not catch the wind; build four-sided roofs rather than two ”.

Two months later ...

"We also have to bury the networks," he insists. More than two months after Irma, "50% of the landline" is not functional, he told AFP recently. On site, “65% of the 4.600 insured vehicles are in wreckage, which will have to be evacuated. As for running water, this remains a real concern. ” Only 81% of the population has recovered running water, he told AFP. In addition, "7.000 people left the island, including 50% of the prefecture agents".

Figures and statistics that still remain to be verified ... _AF

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