SANTO DOMINGO - Representatives of the construction sector analyzed the losses and repercussions caused in the country by the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, which for several days generated copious flooding in the national territory, including some of the destinations with the greatest real estate development at present.
Fermín Acosta, former president of the Dominican Association of Housing Builders and Promoters (Acoprovi), described the losses faced by the construction sector due to the rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa as "quantitative every day".
Among the main effects, Acosta mentioned the ongoing payment of bank interest, salaries, and benefits, as well as damage to buildings under construction and customer dissatisfaction due to delivery delays. He noted that the rains directly affect the pace of work and generate additional costs that complicate the financial planning of the projects.
Regarding the protection of materials, he explained that although many are stored in suitable spaces, there are always items exposed to the elements that suffer deterioration. "There are always losses," he stated.
For its part, the Santo Domingo East Construction Association (ASCODE) indicated that the delays in the sector are similar to those in other productive sectors. "Recent environmental conditions have made outdoor work impossible and limited the progress of interior work," the association told El Inmobiliario.
They also explained that access difficulties to the projects were reported, both by public and private transportation, which has directly impacted the execution schedules. "Every day of work represents significant value, especially given the financial and banking commitments that accompany the construction process.".
East Zone
Osman González, commercial director of Civilmek, reported that Tropical Storm Melissa directly impacted construction projects in the eastern part of the country, especially in Punta Cana and La Altagracia province. He noted that the constant rains over several days significantly affected the structural and finishing stages of the projects.
He indicated that the projects in the facade finishing stage were the most affected, as the weather conditions prevented the continuation of exterior work. “It was literally weeks lost, with no possibility of any real progress beyond interior finishing, since the projects were already properly enclosed and waterproofed,” he explained.
The expert noted that the rains also hampered work due to low visibility and the risk in exposed areas. “You can’t work in the rain because the reduced light directly impacts the work,” he commented, referring to the conditions that prevent normal outdoor operations.
