Run-down tin roofs need urgent repair
Nearly 200 members of at least 50 destitute families are enduring immense sufferings as tin roofs of most of the houses, received under Ashrayan project in Gobindi area of Saghata upazila in 2004, have worn out due to corrosion and hailstorms.
Victims of erosion of the Jamuna river were given the houses under the Ashrayan project in Gobindi
Almost 15 years of wear and tear and lack of timely maintenance have left most of the roofs riddled with large cracks and holes through with rainwater comes gushing in during monsoon, said the residents.
One of them, Khodeza Begum, said, “It’s almost impossible to stay in the house during rainy season, while the holes in the roof keep getting bigger every year.”
Many of them, as an attempt to save themselves and their belongings from getting drenched in water, hung makeshift water traps below the damaged ceilings. They made the traps with whatever they could get their hand on -- polyethene sheets or discarded plastic bags.
“During pouring rains, the polyethene coverings are not strong enough to save us, our grain, clothing or our bedding,” said Khairom, another resident in the project.
The hailstorm few days ago did the most damage to the roofs, said project resident Sajib Mia.
Echoing the residents’ voice, Gobindi union ward member Majedul Akanda said, during rain it becomes quite inhumane inside the houses as the residents have to keep themselves occupied with their struggle to keep their houses dry.
Deputy commissioner of Gaibandha during his visit to the project area a few months back assured of taking steps in this regard, but no repair work was conducted as yet, he added.
Uzzal Kumar Ghosh, upazila nirbahi officer of Saghata, said there is no allocation of additional funds for repair of houses in the Ashrayan project.
However, they sought funds from the ministry concerned for the repair work, he also said.
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