THE BUILDING housing the agency with responsibility for responding to disasters was yesterday described as a "disaster waiting to happen" by State Minister for Local Government Robert Montague.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is seeking to relocate its offices to a nearby location.

Addressing a hurricane-preparedness seminar yesterday at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston, Montague said money had been allocated in the Budget for the new facility to be built.

Director General of the ODPEM, Ronald Jackson, told The Gleaner the agency had received $250 million to construct its new offices.

He said the funds would be used to build an administrative office and storage facilities.

"We are looking at a place near the Jamaica Defence Force and we will be finalising the sale agreement by month's end. This will make us better able to serve the country," Jackson said.

The agency has already trained 100 young volunteers who will be a part of the preparedness and emergency-response corps.