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Meanwhile, the President said farmers will have some reprieve in terms of drainage and irrigation, when the US$4M machinery is procured through a loan from the Italian Government.

“To do the substantial type of work that is required, we need more equipment. I was told by the technical people that it would be delivered by February. I hope that is true and it would actually be here by February,” the President said, shortly after he visited Mahaicony last week.

When the equipment arrives, work would be done initially on empoldering cultivation areas and high land for cattle. These three areas are often flooded when the rivers rise. The Mahaica River separates Region Four and Region Five and is about 26 miles from the City, while the Mahaicony River is located 31 miles away and the Abary River is 36 and half miles away.

The loan agreement was signed in March 2004. The Italian Soft Loan Agreement and the Financial Agreement will facilitate the repair, maintenance and construction of drainage and irrigation facilities in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary area. The project will be executed by the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) Scheme. Cabinet granted its ‘no-objection’ on May 31, 2005 to the euro 3.4100,544M contract for the supply of equipment.

Guyana and Italy have enjoyed a firm friendship rooted in the shared principles of respect and understanding and a commitment to social and economic development. Guyana also received support from Italy through the European Union. The machinery will greatly ease Government's expenditure in D&I because substantial parts of the contracts awarded for drainage and irrigation works are being spent on hiring machinery.

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Health safety tips for flood-affected residents

Georgetown, GINA, January 3, 2006

As result of flooding in several communities, the Ministry of Health is advising residents of the flooded areas to take precautionary measures.

Use only bottled or treated water for drinking purposes

Treat water for domestic use with bleach, including for bathing, brushing teeth and cooking

For domestic uses, add ¼ teaspoon of bleach to one bucket of water, ½ teaspoon to 5 gallons of water or 1 cup to 400 gallons of water

Seek emergency medical attention at the necessary hospital or health centre for vomitting and diarrhoea, cuts or puncture wounds immediately

Keep out of the flood water (children must not swim or play in flood water). Avoid walking without shoes in the floodwater (stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to be elsewhere)

Look out for centipedes, snakes and other poisonous pests seeking dry places

As the water recedes, clean surroundings immediately with bleach, or other disinfectant

When cleaning, use protective gear such as gloves and masks

Sleep under a mosquito net

Disconnect all electrical appliances, telephones and electrical points which can be affected by the excess water

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Tiger Bay residents’ relocation

Community pledges cooperation as deadline looms

Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President Ms. Jennifer Webster, National Director of Community Development Councils (CDCs) Ms. Philomena Sahoye-Shury and Chairman of the Tiger Bay Committee and member of the Relocation Committee Mr. Kelvin Andrews at the West End Youth Centre to discuss issues hindering residents from constructing their houses. (OP/Sandra Prince photo)

Georgetown , GINA, January 3, 2006

Residents of West End, commonly known as Tiger Bay, along Main Street, Georgetown today pledged their full support to the self-help process through which houses are being constructed to facilitate re-location of residents from the area.

At present, residents live in derelict buildings, many of which have been condemned by the Public Health Department. They are privately owned.

The pledges followed a meeting they had with Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President Ms. Jennifer Webster, National Director of Community Development Councils (CDCs) Ms. Philomena Sahoye-Shury and Chairman of the Tiger Bay Committee and member of the Relocation Committee Mr. Kelvin Andrews at the West End Youth Centre to discuss issues hindering residents from contributing to the process.

About four years ago, Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo pledged $15M towards building materials for 150 families. The money has been delivered and to date construction is ongoing on more than 75 houses, through a self-help initiative. While the President provided the money, the residents agreed to pool their labour in groups and build the houses. However, many of them have not been contributing their labour.

Tiger Bay resident at a meeting to at the West End Youth Centre to discuss issues hindering residents from constructing their houses. (OP/Sandra Prince photo)

“The President has kept his commitment to provide the funds, but you have not kept your promise to give your labour. Do I have a commitment that you will pool all your labour and together complete these houses?” the Permanent Secretary queried.

This was greeted by fervent pledges of “yes” from residents.

Most of the materials supplied to residents are laid to waste, especially at Tuschen Housing Scheme. The officials lamented this and implored residents to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure their homes are constructed before the deadlines as according to Ms. Webster, “the project cannot keep rolling over to every year.”

Additionally, Mrs. Sahoye-Shury told them that if their houses are not built before the derelict buildings they occupy are demolished, then Government would not be able to do much for them.

To date the $15M is almost exhausted. In 2004, President Jagdeo told residents if the money was utilised in a timely manner for the initiative, then he would have provided additional finding. However, there have been several lapses in the project and the Relocation Committee, chaired by Mrs. Sahoye-Shury, is requesting the additional funding to complete the project.

The President has instructed the Committee, Andrews said, to have 50 houses ready by February and 37 by April. After this, the Committee would be responsible for the construction of the remaining 61 houses before the end of 2006. Originally, there were 153 lots given: Grove/Diamond - 68 house lots; Tuschen - 40 house lots, Belfield 30 and Haslington 12 house lots. In 2004, President Jagdeo extended the programme to include an additional 20 families. He noted that the Ministry will work with residents to ensure they have land for these 20 families. However, the President said that only families who were living in Tiger Bay at the time the first programme was announced are entitled to be part of the additional 20. However, because of the problems being experienced with the initial batch, the additional 20 lots have not been allocated.

Today, the Government officials were told of untimely provision of materials being one of the main setbacks. According to Andrews, this is because of lack of transportation. Ms. Webster said this will be corrected and residents, including those working by themselves, would be given materials, as they become available.

Several residents also claimed that even though their names were on the list, they were not given house lots, while others contended that the Ministry of Housing is unable to provide transports. Mrs. Sahoye-Shury, who is based at the Ministry of Housing, would examine individual cases.

Additionally, 20 residents were relocated to GUYHOC Park, but they too, have not cooperated with the Committee in having their houses built.

“Work hard to get your houses completed. The success of this project depends on you. I am sure you do not want to live forever under these circumstances. We are here to support you. So make the best out of the initiative,” Ms. Webster urged residents.

Tiger Bay residents also complained of inappropriate treatment by an official of the Low Income Settlement Programme at the Ministry of Housing Mr. PK Balram when they turn up to make payments on their house lots. Mrs. Sahoye-Shury said this should not be so, since President Jagdeo has approved concessions for the residents to pay whatever sums they can afford to the Ministry for the land, until the entire cost of the plot is completed.

This assistance is being given to Tiger Bay based on the understanding that when they are relocated, no one else can occupy the West End buildings, as these would be demolished.

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Over 4,000 buildings inspected by Fire Service

Georgetown , GINA, January 3, 2006

The Fire Prevention Unit of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) performed exceptionally during 2005, with officials inspected 4165 buildings countrywide.

Building inspection is one of the criteria of the GFS and there are certain rules businesses have to adhere to, including checking exits and entrances, fire extinguishers and their maintenance.

“The safety of employees is very important and with these facilities working properly, in case of a fire the position of the entrance and exit is vital,” Fire Chief Lawrence David explained.

The Fire Prevention Unit is also responsible for public education and training at offices and schools. For 2005, 423 educational training programmes were conducted where 86,469 persons participated in seminars, evacuation drills, demonstrations and lectures.

The Fire Chief said 1,210 fire calls were received, with 196 being false alarms. One hundred and thirty four buildings were damaged or destroyed, leaving 12 persons dead. The Fire Service went into operation mode in 813 fire scenes.

“But generally 2005 was a good year for us,” the Fire Chief said.

Government purchased two land rovers which cost $19M each from ANGOLOCO, a United Kingdom firm.

The Fire Service purchased 50 complete fire prevention suits which cost approximately $300,000 each for officers while executing their duties..

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Government teams deployed to assess flooding in Region Five and Six

- Following Cabinet decision earlier today

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds accompanied by Presidential environmental advisor Navin Chanderpaul and Regional Vice Chairman Lalalludeen Baksh during a visit to flood hit communities in Region Five.

Georgetown , GINA January 3, 2006

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was among a number of Government officials deployed to various locations in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), to assess the effects of the recent flood and provide tangible relief for residents including farmers.

The decision followed recommendations made during the weekly Cabinet held at the Office of the President earlier today.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is also the Chairman of the National Flood Prevention and Control Committee, visited several areas in the Mahaicony Creek accompanied by Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board Ravi Naraine and Vice-Chairman of Region Five Jalallodeen Baksh.

Among the areas visited were Mora Point, Karamat, Gordon Table, Pine Ground and First Savannah.

In some of the areas along the creek, water levels were reported to have increased by as much as four to five feet.

The Mahaicony Creek is home to more than 200 farmers and their families, and most of the other residents are employed by farmers.

Cattle-rearing, rice and cash crop farming are the economic mainstay of the community.

In addition to the disruption of domestic life, commercial activity has also been severely affected and halted in some cases.

Residents also depend on water from the creek for drinking and other purposes and the sanitation of that water source has been threatened.

Based on the assessment made, government will be providing short-term assistance to the area.

While returning from the Mahaicony Creek, the Prime Minister was stopped by a number of residents who engaged him in discussions on various issues.

Prominent among these were drainage and irrigation of the area since several cash crop farmers reside there.

The Prime Minister promised to have these concerns considered during the provision of assistance for farmers and residents in the community.

Among the other officials deployed to the region were Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr, Roger Luncheon and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta who visited the Abary Creek.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Harry Narine Nawbatt and Minister, within the Ministry of Local Government Clinton Collymore were in the Mahaica area while Minister of Agriculture (ag) Satyadeow Sawh and Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Remsammy visited Black Bush Polder in Region Six ( Upper Corentyne/Upper Berbice).

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Financial assistance for flood-affected farmers

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta and Regional Chairman Harri Narain Baldeo interacting with farmers of the Abary Creek. (A GINA Ameer Khan photo.)

Georgetown, GINA, January 3, 2006

Cattle, cash crop and rice farmers in the Mahaica/Mahaicony and Abary areas will soon benefit from financial assistance for the losses they suffered during the present flooding.

“We at the Regional level are coordinating assistance for the farmers through the Office of the President and we are hoping that within 24 hours we will be able to provide financial assistance, I have positive words on that.”

This was today asserted by Regional Chairman, Harri Narain Baldeo while accompanying Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta on a visit to the affected areas in the Abary Creek.

The Regional Chairman explained that the Region will continue to monitor the situation in the Mahaica/Mahaicony and Abary areas and assist as much as it can in bringing comfort and relief to those affected.

“We will continue to monitor the situation since there is nothing much we can do at this level,” he said. He noted that he has been visiting the Abary area almost everyday, adding that the situation is not getting better but worst, “I was here last Saturday and from then to now the situation has gotten worst.”

Assessing the situation Minister Nokta said that from his interactions with farmers, the water has risen about four inches and most rice land, cattle, sheep and goats are severely affected.

“From our assessment cattle farmers have lost a lot of calves and those who are rearing sheep and goats had major losses as well,” Minister Nokta pointed out.

The Minister said the situation is quite difficult and the people are already complaining that they need potable drinking water and water tanks since the water in the creek is contaminated.

Minister Nokta explained that the situation does not look very nice “and even if the rain stops it will take about a week and a half for the water to go down; never-the-less, we are going to report back to the President and he will take it from there.”

The Abary Creek is said to be the most affected area in Region Five and according to farmers the water is coming in from the Mahaicony Creek area which is also flooded at present. The livelihood of the residents in the Creek is mainly cash crop and livestock rearing.

Other Government officials including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, visited several flood affected areas today including Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, Canal No. 1 and 2 Polders and Black Bush Polder in Region Six.

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Immediate flood relief aid for Yakusari and Johanna – Minister Sawh

Residents of Johanna, Black Bush Polder leading Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh to view their flooded community.

Georgetown , GINA, January 03, 2006.

Central Government has promptly responded to flooding in Yakusari and Johanna, Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), as supplies of potable water, medical assistance and efforts to drain the water from the area are being actively pursued.

During the visit of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Regional officials today, arrangements were made for immediate relief aid to be provided to those affected.

The Minister said the supply of potable water will commence tomorrow while a team of medical personnel will also be in the area to treat affected persons and offer preventative medications.

Arrangements have also been put in place to desilt the drains and seal breaches to relief resident of flooding in the area.

“I am very sure that President Jagdeo will endeavor to assist farmers, rice, cash and small ruminants farmers in helping them to get a start back,” the Minister said.

He noted that Government recognises that there are several areas currently experiencing flooding due primarily to intense rainfall but assured that necessary assistance will be provided.

Residents told the Minister that Yakusari and Johanna has been flooded for almost three weeks but the regional officials failed to report the situation to Central Government and as such no relief was given.

However, Minister Sawh said “I wish to express sympathy with those who have been suffering for the past couple of weeks but regrettably, we got this information only a couple of days ago. That’s when the President instructed me to come down.”

During the Minister’s visit, some residents were agitated due what they refer to as a ‘slothful response’ by the regional and neighbourhood Government officials.

Several residents blocked roadways and burnt tyres temporarily but these were subsequently removed by other residents who insisted that the tyres be removed.

The flooding was caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and drain-off from the backlands.

Both Ministers Sawh and Ramsammy are expected to return to Black Bush Polder tomorrow to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are being executed and that residents are benefiting.

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President announces additional flood interventions

Cheque distribution to start tomorrow

President Bharrat Jagdeo with some members of cabinet who were dispatched to flood hit areas in regions 3, 5 and 6 to conduct further assessments with the view of providing additional Central Government assistance to the affected resident and farmers

Georgetown , GINA, January 3, 2006

Cabinet members this evening, January 3, met at State House to provide the latest assessments of the flood impact on Black Bush Polder settlements (Region Six), Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Creeks (Region Five), Canals No. One and Two Polders (Region Three) and Pomeroon River (Region Two). The President had earlier in the day dispatched teams of Ministers to conduct further assessments in the affected communities following an abbreviated Cabinet meeting this morning.

President Bharrat Jagdeo after receiving the briefing announced “Based on the assessment I have received from the Ministers and technical people that went out today, it seems as if there is very little movement in the water in the Mahaica area. There has been small movement in lowering of the water in the Mahaicony Creek and Dr. Luncheon said the water seems to be rising in the Abary Creek,” the President said.

From the reports, the Head of State said that “we have discounted, based on the advice we are getting, that this is water from the conservancy or from the MMA…it seems that the only explanation is that it is heavy rainfall. When the team went into Moraikobai a few days ago, the people in there said that the water came down by almost six feet. Now if that is the explanation, then that water had to run down to the lower areas – that is the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary area, which is a basin,” the President said.

To confirm that there is no discharge of water from the conservancies, the MMA/ADA will be taking in a team of about 30 farmers in these areas to verify the integrity of the conservancy dam.

“If they are saying to me that it is not water coming from the MMA, then they should show that to the farmers,” he said.

Medical teams deployed, potable water being supplied, cheques for assistance being prepared and Ministers fanning out to various flood communities is the latest as Guyana faces yet another major flood even though of lesser magnitude.

President Jagdeo earlier this morning dispatched five Ministerial teams to assess reports of flooding in a number of areas.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who chairs the Special Technical Committee on flood related matters, Presidential Adviser Navin Chandarpal and Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board Ravi Narine were at Mahaicony. Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Clinton Collymore and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Harry Narine Nawbatt were at Mahaica. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta were at Abary while Canal Number One and Two Polders were visited by Minister of Human Services Bibi Shadick, Minister of Education Dr. Henry Jeffrey, Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh and Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee

Minister of Agriculture (ag) Satyadeow Sawh and Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy are currently in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne to assess reports of flooding in the farming community. With the exception of the latter group, the other teams returned to brief the Head of State at State House later in the evening, after which President Jagdeo gave an update on the situation.

The team from the Canal Polders reported that there is a major problem at four miles from the conservancy, as the water is not moving.

“We have asked the technical people to go back into the area to see what could be done to drain the water,” the President said. This seems to be a recurrent problem every rainy season as this area, approaching the conservancy is low. A medical team was deployed to the area, while teams are already deployed in other areas.

At Black Bush Polder, Johanna and Yakusari are severely affected and residents are upset because Regional officials did not visit the areas in a timely manner.

“I am very disturbed about that because when I was in Berbice last week I asked them to go into the areas,” he said.

However, the Minister there will ensure potable water gets into the area, as well as in other areas.

The Head of State assured that residents would be given assistance, pointing out that most rice farmers would be given financial assistance through the $400M package announced on December 22.

“The rice farmers in flooded areas would have an enhanced package, It seems as though, based on the assessment being done, that most of it could be covered from the $400M, but we would have an enhanced package for these areas, especially Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary and Black Bush areas,” the President said.

On December 30, the President announced $80M for cash crop farmers.

“The cheques are being cut for farmers at the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary area and we expect that distribution would start tomorrow…we are getting some difficulties with getting the cheques for the rice farmers but that should be sorted out next week,” he said.

Regional officials in Black Bush and Canal Polders are expected to complete assessments of cash crop farmers by Friday so that they too could be given assistance.

He also noted that an assessment is being conducted by Regional officials in Pomeroon to determine the extent of the situation.

“We are looking at the issue. It is taking us sometime with the logistics having to do the assessment for financial assistance,’ the President said.

The teams have all reported that persons are clamouring for the financial assistance rather than food supplies.

Commenting on getting the water off, President Jagdeo said that the continuous rainfall is contributing to the swelling of the river and pumping is futile in many cases. Run-off is dependent on gravity flow and pumping would resume when the creeks level lower.

Meanwhile, the focus remains, President Jagdeo noted, on distributing water and financial assistance, deploying medical teams and draining the land.

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Government’s response to floods intensifies

Georgetown , GINA, January 3, 2006

Following flooding in Regions Three, Five and Six, due to unusually heavy rainfall over the past several days, President Bharrat Jagdeo is scheduled to visit the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary areas tomorrow.

President Jagdeo met residents and farmers in Mahaicony on Christmas Day, when he first visited the area to assess the situation.

The Head of State will also be meeting residents and farmers in Canal Polders, One and Two.

Additionally, Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, other Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh, will be visiting Black Bush Polder, Berbice.

Ministers Sawh and Ramsammy visited Black Bush Polder today in order to conduct an assessment of the situation. Minister Sawh is also expected to visit Pomeroon, Region Two, later this week, where there has also been a report of flooding.

This response by the Administration comes in the wake of claims by community members that Regional officials have been slow to react to the situation, which has affected farmers and residents throughout the flood-hit areas.

President Jagdeo is also scheduled to visit Black Bush Polder shortly.