Local officials discussed their concerns Thursday about a need for federal aide to ramp up re-building efforts in Puerto Rico on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria.

Maria left an estimated 3,000 people dead and much of the island without power for months. The hurricane also destroyed thousands of buildings including businesses and homes.

President Donald Trump disputed last week the number of those killed as a result of the natural disaster. He says the number was false and an 'attempt by the Democrats to make him look bad.'

Representative Nydia Velazquez, a Democrat from the 7th District says there is a need for accountability of federal officials. Velazquez says there needs to be recognition of how badly the United States failed the people of Puerto Rico and what the next steps are for continued recovery.