Central Bank will facilitate commercial banks assisting flood-affected farmers – President
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
Government has initiated discussions with commercial banks to extend relief to their clients, particularly farmers, who have lost their crops in the ongoing flood across the country.
The assistance being sought is a deferment of loan repayments, since farmers are unable to meet payment dates because their crops were destroyed by the flood which began in December 2005.
Many of the rice farmers affected are indebted to the commercial banks and other financial institutions, as they took loans to finance their cultivation.
President Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed optimism that the banks would be willing to facilitate their clients, adding that some banks have been more helpful than others. Banks not in agreement gave the excuse that they are confined by the Financial Institutions Act (FIA).
“The FIA provides for situations where there are natural disasters and the commercial banks would find a very receptive Central Bank if they choose to restructure their loans to help the farmers…the FIA is not a constraint to this,” the Head of State said at a media conference yesterday, an explanation that he has repeated to farmers throughout his visits to flood affected communities.
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Flood relief accounts to be tabled in Parliament
- President Jagdeo concerned about delays
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
A report of all State funds spent during the flood relief phase, which were scrutinised by the state auditors, will be made public.
At a media conference yesterday at the Office of the President, Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo in response to the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) accusations that the funds used to finance relief during the 2005 flood were not accounted for, maintained that all accounting procedures were adhered to during the process.
“The auditors were there… I am a bit concerned that it is delayed. Every cent of spending would be tabled in the National Assembly, audited by the auditors,” the President said.
As was explained earlier by Permanent Secretary, Office of the President Jennifer Webster, staff of the Central Accounting Unit of the Office of the President was responsible for maintaining cheque books and writing cheques. The Unit was also responsible for payments once authorisation and approval was given for expenditure to be incurred. The signatories to those accounts were members of the Central Accounting Unit and all supporting bills and documentation will be provided for a final public audit.
A temporary financial statement was prepared, while the comprehensive document is being prepared.
“I am telling you that it is a model for many countries in disaster. We have names of people who received the assistance that is the $10,000 and other types of assistance given out last year. We have the names of every company that we procured goods and services from during the flood. These have been listed and sent to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority so that they would know that these people supplied government with stocks,” the President said.
From the inception, auditors were stationed at the support centre at State House, overseeing the flood relief process and were present when relief items were procured both in and out of Georgetown.
Head of the Civil Defence Commission, Col. (rtd) Chabilall Ramsarup had also assured that the flood relief efforts administered through the CDC are well accounted for, adding that an auditor was present at the CDC to oversee its activities. These accounts would also be made public.
“From this exercise, it is also going to he tabled in Parliament so that the Opposition would have a full view of this matter,” President Jagdeo said.
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Region Four wins Junior Calypso competition
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Mashramani Secretariat in conjunction with the Regional Administration, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) has successfully staged the Junior Calypso competition.
The final which featured eight contestants saw Mark Batson (the Mighty Adviser) of Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) copping the first prize with his witty and dramatically presented Kaiso “True Identity”.
According to Mash Coordinator Lennox Canterbury, Batson was a clear winner and favourite.
“Both audience and judges were unanimous in this choice. He clearly, enthralled the crowd with his performance,” Canterbury said.
The second place winner was Mulissa Nelson, also of Region Four, who captivated the audience with her performance of “Responsibility”.
The third place winner went to the dethroned Monarch, Kenroy Fraser (Mighty Believer) of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).
Other contestants included Arth Austin “Young Sparkle”, Kleon Lindley “Mighty Professor”, Talisha Adams “Singing Tilly Till” and Pearl Abraham “Precious Pearl” of Region Nine who was well received by her hometown crowd.
One of the highlights of the competition was the debut performance of the Ministry’s new in-house four-piece band led by the Assistant Director of Music, Winston Benn.
The organisers and visitors were also entertained with musical items, martial arts by exponents from Brazil, a fashion show and other cultural presentations.
Meanwhile, the Mash Secretariat has already begun planning for the next major Mash events - the first stage of the Adult Calypso Final.
This event is scheduled for Blairmont, West Coast Berbice, Region Five on Saturday, February 4.
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Linden Police band concert promises to be big event
Georgetown GINA February 1 2006
Several participating bands have already registered for the Police Band Concert which will be held at the McKenzie Band Stand in Linden on February 12.
Regional Information Officer Leon Roberts said the Police Orchestra, the Torad String Band and three other bands from Linden were the most recent bands to confirm their participation in the activity.
Other bands which will be participating are the Wismar Multilateral School Steel Band, St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church Steel Band, the Linden Drum Corps and a band from Christiansburg.
The activity will also be supported by a cultural drum session.
Roberts said that service organisations such as the Leo Club of Upper Demerara and the Rotary Club will be playing their part in the event by volunteering to transport senior citizens to the concert.
He said that much of the inputs for the Linden Town Day to be held on April 22- May 1 will be channelled towards this event. The Kashif and Shanghai football group will be one of the sponsor.
Roberts said this activity is a way of bringing life to the McKenzie Band Stand, which was renovated four years ago but was not considered for any entertainment activities.
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Amerindians are being empowered – Rodrigues
- As 2006 Budget debate continues
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2005
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues has rebutted People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament, Vincent Alexander’s statement that Amerindians have not been empowered.
“If there is anything that can disempower anyone it is preventing them from electing their leaders. It was the PNC who legislated in 1976 that Amerindian Captains and Councillors be appointed by some chief officer with the approval of the Minister and to revoke any such appointment at any time. That was a big mistake and reeked a form of disempowerment,” countered the Minister during the Budget debate on January, 31.
She highlighted that in his statement Alexander spoke of no provisions being made in the budget for the Amerindian communities.
Responding to this, Minister Rodrigues said, “When it comes to planning, government is all inclusive, bearing in mind that some measures may have to be taken to cater for the peculiarity of some sections of the populace.”
Highlighting an example of the present administration’s move to empower Amerindians, she said St. Cuthbert’s Mission has been one of the beneficiaries of electrification through the provision of a generating set.
“The project will be completed in another three months when it is expected that the majority of homes will be connected. Thereafter, the entity will be managed by the village council who have benefited from training in leadership and accountability. This is what empowerment is all about, letting people manage their own utilities.”
She explained that this is an integral part of the drive at the Ministry to have the village council involved in the management of various aspects of development in their community,
She said the Moraikobai community is currently managing its electricity and water system, independent of government.
She said the Amerindian programme will be de-linked from the Office of the President in the second quarter of 2006.
Quoting the Finance Minister Saisnarine Kowlessar she said, “The new ministry will be in a better position to formulate and implement policies and programmes to facilitate and promote economic and social advancement and protect the rights of Amerindian people.”
“This further complements the work of the Ministry and signals the completion of the metamorphosis and becoming of age of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. No doubt this will be a challenge and an opportunity, but as we have demonstrated before challenges can easily be overcome once you dedicate yourself to the task.”
She said as is evident world wide, the needs of the people always exceed the resources.
“Prioritising is no easy task and in the process of allocating resource, some things will be left out. It is not possible to fulfill the needs of every individual but what is important is that whether it is at the individual, community or national level people feel that they are part of process and that their government is prudently managing the resources of the country, this is what the PPP/C has done and continues to do,” the Minister explained.
“We are not a government that practises ‘hanging our hat’ higher than we can reach and we are not inclined to deviate from this policy, Minister Rodrigues said adding, “This country has been there before and we have seen the consequences.”
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will continue to work towards the improvement of the overall development of the Amerindian community, and this will be undertaken in an environment with unavoidable challenges and constraints.
She said due to the large and remote expanse over which Amerindian communities are spread, this makes them costly and difficult to access.
“Until we can sustain this nation with fuel we will be plagued with high fuel prices for which we have absolutely no control over. We therefore, need to look at ways in which we can reduce the cost of transportation. I believe the answer is constructing some roads in these areas,” Minister Rodrigues explained.
She said Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be looking at the construction of roads in hinterland communities, while Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta and regional officials have already started work on internal roads within Region Eight and other parts of the country.
“The Government through the Ministry will continue with its mandate which is to work towards improving the lives of our Amerindian people and for this we have an unmatched record,” she assured.
Minister Rodrigues said, notwithstanding these challenges, the Ministry has enjoyed a hallmark last year, including the commissioning of the spanking new $50M building in March 2005 which now houses the Ministry.
“Providing adequate and social and other services remain a challenge, but by outlining the progress made I am confident that we have ably demonstrated our commitment to the Amerindian people. Government will continue in this task as we work towards strengthening and building partnership with the various communities, so together we can face and overcome the challenges that lie ahead,” she said.
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Education Ministry lauds teachers who ignored GTU’s “stress day” call
-to take action against those complying
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
Teachers who reported for duty today, ignoring the call by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) not to turn out to work and label the day a ‘stress day’ as a form of protest for more wages and salaries, have been lauded by the Ministry of Education.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Pulandar Kandhi said, “The Ministry ‘would like to express appreciation to teachers who turned out to work in defiance of the GTU’s call for a ‘stress day’ and to indicate that the Ministry is pleased with their professionalism and the fact that they were not misled by the call.”
Kandhi pointed out that officials of the ministry checked the regions today and observed that out of approximately 900 schools across the country, a preliminary report indicated that three schools in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), four in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and two in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) were closed as a result of non-attendance by teachers.
He explained that this figure means that only about one percent of the schools were affected by the action.
“The teachers have, by and large, shunned the call by the GTU to withdraw their services in the form of a ‘stress day’, and now the Ministry will take appropriate action, including deduction of salaries from those headmasters and teachers who stayed away without appropriate medical certification,” the Permanent Secretary added.
On Monday, following reports on the call by the union, government issued a statement, noting with concern ‘the continued efforts by the union to disrupt the school system and affect students from being properly taught during the month of February, 2006 and onwards’.
Government had stated too that the action cannot be deemed an industrial one, but part of a disruptive plan by hostile political and trade union forces with an aim to destabilise the country before the upcoming general elections.
“The Government of Guyana urges teachers to ignore this call…..medical officers are advised to be very careful in issuing medical certificates to persons who are not genuinely ill, for if they do, they will be breaching the Hippocratic oath which they subscribed to and their unprofessional conduct will be taken to the Medical Council for appropriate evaluation and action to be taken,” the release stated.
Teachers were also warned by the Ministry that should they take part in ‘any protest activity called by the GTU’ that appropriate deductions would be made, their salaries deducted which could result in late payments of salary.
In the meantime, government had also noted that teachers had recently benefited from a seven percent increase in wages and salaries. The increase was made under the seven percent increase for Public Servants in December, 2005.
Additionally, teachers were also allotted a five percent wages and salaries increase along with other Public Servants in 2004.
Government noted too that the teachers usually receive a range of other benefits, including seven days per year special leave for headteachers, 28 days departmental leave and one month’s Whitley Council leave after a term of four years, and vacation allowance equivalent to one month’s salary, while others are given time-off to attend the University of Guyana with full salary, as well as 13 weeks vacation time per year with pay.
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Impact of teachers’ ‘stress day’ minimal-P.S Kandhi
Children in attendance at school today, despite a call by the GTU for teachers to remain at home
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Pulandar Kandhi said today that the teachers ‘stress day’ called by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) seemed to have a minimal effect on the country’s school system since most schools countrywide were in session and teachers turned up for duty, in spite of the union’s call.
The Union had called on teachers not to report for duty today as a form of protest for more wages and salaries. This is despite the seven percent increase in wages and salaries granted to teachers countrywide by government in December, 2005 and a five percent increase allotted to them in the previous year.
“The Ministry feels that the ‘day of stress’ and its ‘impact’ will make for a more interesting examination,” he pointed out.
According to Kandhi, a preliminary report obtained by the Ministry provided the following information:
Region One (Barima/Waini)
All schools in session, situation normal
Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam)
All schools in session, situation normal
Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara)
All schools opened and were in session except:-
Philadelphia Primary
Vreed-en-Hoop Primary
Patentia Primary
Region Four ( Demerara/ Mahaica )
All schools opened and were in session except:-
Benjamin Gibson Primary at Unity
Soesdyke Primary
(A few others to be verified)
Region Five ( Mahaica/Berbice)
Some schools affected as a result of flooding situation, not related to the GTU’s call
Region Six ( East Berbice/Corentyne)
All schools opened and were in session except:-
Manchester Secondary
Port Mourant Community High
Crabwood Creek Secondary
Trinity Street Nursery
*There was a 25% teacher absenteeism rate
Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni)
All schools opened and were in session, situation normal
Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni)
All schools opened and were in session, situation normal
Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo)
All schools opened and were in session, situation normal
Region Ten (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice)
All schools opened and were in session, except:-
The Linden Foundation Secondary (to be verified)
McKenzie High School (to be verified)
Georgetown Schools
There was a 65 percent attendance rate at nursery and primary schools, while at secondary schools, there was a 50 percent attendance rate, which may have been due to teachers advising parents not to send their children to school as a result of their planned action.
In an earlier preliminary report, (with information received at about 2:00 p.m) the Ministry reported that about 9 of the approximately 900 schools countrywide had been closed as a result of non-attendance by teachers.
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Minister Nawbatt on sea defence check
- following damage by high tide
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Harrynarine Nawbatt making a point about the sea defence at Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo which overtopped during the recent high tides. (A GINA/Deo Seulall photo).
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Harrynarine Nawbatt today inspected sea defences in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), that were affected by the recent high tides.
During the visit to Bushy Park, Orangestein and Ruby, East Bank Essequibo, the Minister observed that the areas had experienced overtopping which led to minor breaches. This resulted in temporary flooding in several residential areas within these villages.
Minister Nawbatt said he is optimistic that the situation will improve since the high-tide period is over and remedial works will commence shortly.
Senior Superintendent of Works attached to the sea defence division in Region Three, Doodnauth Lochan said the remedial works include excavation of a drainage canal parallel to the sea defence structure.
He said permanent work will include construction of an earthen embankment and a geo-textile layer and boulders will be laid.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Harrynarine Nawbatt and several engineers from the Ministry checking on the erosion of the Friendship roadway, East Bank Demerara. (A GINA/Deo Seulall photo).
The Minister also visited a section of the East Bank Demerara roadway at Friendship, which is being threatened by outflow from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) through the Koffi sluice.
The Minister described the situation as critical since incessant pressure could result in the road ‘caving in,’ which could affect the traffic flow to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
In order to lessen the water pressure on the roadway, the Kofi sluice has been closed and the Lama outlet opened.
“As a result of the koker closed, the Lama sluice will be opened and will cause more flooding in the Mahaica area. If the koker is not closed the road will give away because the road is under threat now,” Minister Nawbatt said.
Laying off sand bags is currently ongoing but the Minister said other works are to commence shortly such as the construction of a revetment on both sides of the drainage outlet leading into the Demerara river.
The Minister assured that the situation will be monitored continuously.
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Government will continue trend of providing for the vulnerable – Minister Shadick in her Budget debate presentation
Georgetown, GINA, February 01, 2006
Increased social sector spending over the years has resulted in the lives of the poor and vulnerable being drastically improved, and this will continue in 2006, according to Minister in the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick during her Budget debate presentation on January 30.
Minister Shadick informed the National Assembly that this government is one which puts people first, instead of politics and to this end she said, government would, as it had done in 2005, continue to place focus on monitoring reported incidents of Trafficking In Persons (TIP), abuse and violence and will continue to provide for the vulnerable to enhance their lives.
“There are many, including women, children and young persons who are exploited by others including their own parents and family members,” Minister Shadick said, referring to the incidence of TIP.
Child abuse and sexual and labour exploitation, in all 10 regions will also be monitored.
She said that an anti TIP Unit was set up in the Ministry and this unit held outreach public awareness campaigns, sensitisation workshops and maintained links with the police and mining officers to help find and prosecute perpetrators.
“So far eight persons have been charged and are before the courts and 12 reported activities are currently under investigation,” she said.
The TIP Act was passed in early 2005 and is being used by the law enforcement and magisterial authorities. The unit has so far visited over 50 communities in all administrative regions with participation from about 3,500 persons. More than 350 persons have had specialised training and19 facilitators for other workshops have been trained.
She said that in 2005, government committed to providing finance to cater for the operation of a shelter which is run by Help and Shelter, which in turn will house trafficking victims, in addition to victims of domestic violence and abuse.
These activities are catered for in government's comprehensive Plan of Action to address the issue and Guyana has been removed from the list of Tier Three countries and is now listed at Tier Two on the US State Department's annual report on TIP.
“Our aim is to be listed as a Tier One country, defined as one which is doing all that is possible to address the issue,” she said.
The Minister said that children are Guyana’s most important resources and in order to enhance measures for their protection and welfare, a Child Monitoring Unit was launched in December that seeks to gather information on, and track child abuse victims. This is the third component of a children and violence project which began in August 2003.
A very forward step, she said to help protect children from sexual ‘predators’ was raising the age of consent from 13 to 16 which has found favour with many.
Minister Shadick who holds responsibility as a regional member for Region Three, said there has been significant improvements which are visible everywhere. She emphasised that government will continue in this vein during this year.
Referring to the island of Leguan, she said all residents have access to electricity and all schools have been refurbished, drainage and irrigation systems reviewed, even if it means putting in more structures to avoid the loss of rice crops while constructing permanent sea defences at Belfield and Phoenix continue.
Further testimony of a caring government, Minister Shadick said was the quick and positive response of providing shelters for persons affected by the sea defence breach at Leonora and Stewartville, West Coast Demerara in October.
She acknowledged that all has not been well in the administration, citing Region Three as an example but, she said problems have been recognised by government and addressed.
‘Recognising failures and problems and correcting them is part of what constitutes good governance,” she asserted.
She urged the House to appreciate how the measures she outlined will cumulatively improve the quality of life of all Guyanese.
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‘It’s easier to recommend interventions when you sit on the other side’
- Minister Jeffrey rebuts Bernard’s arguments on teachers pay issue
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
“No one in this country has been more responsible for the destruction of the standard of living of teachers than Mr. Bernard.”
This is the response of Minister of Education Dr. Henry Jeffrey to the arguments put forward by Opposition member Deryck Bernard during the Budget debates today in the National Assembly that Government should meet teachers’ demands for higher wages.
Today marked day three of the Budget debates which got underway on Monday last.
Bernard, a member of the leading Opposition Party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), was once Minister of Education under the PNC regime.
“When Mr. Bernard took Office in 1986, teachers were getting US$90 per month at the minimum wage. When Mr. Bernard left Office in 1992, the teachers’ salary was US$25M… where was the Teachers’ Union at that time?” Minister Jeffrey queried.
TheGuyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) called a ‘stress day’ today, where many teachers did not turn up for duty, an action which government views as political. Government had stated that teachers who participated would have deductions from their salaries.
The Union is pressing for better wages and salaries for teachers, a call that has been heeded by the current administration in its years in Office.
“It is always easier to sit and talk and make policy recommendations. When you are there the situation is a different thing, and Mr. Bernard found himself in that exact bind…I acknowledge what you started your presentation with Mr. Bernard, the road to development has many paths, but they are difficult pathways,” the Education Minister said.
Teachers received the seven percent increase in wages and salaries for Public Servants based on their December 31, 2004 salary increases, retroactive to January 1, 2005.
This is a far cry from the salary teachers received in 1985 - $382 per month. This was increased subsequently and reached $3,100 in 1992, when the PPP/C administration assumed office.
In 1994, a 100 percent across-the-board salary increase was granted to teachers which then created an anomaly in that, Public Servants’ salaries under the Public Service Commission (PSC), had remained the same. By 2003, the sum for the lowest paid teacher had risen to $22, 099, indicating an increase of over 600 percent.
Teachers are also the recipients of several fringe benefits including allowances and leave that no other public servant receives.
Though state employees’ salaries are not ‘super salaries,” when taken into the context of the country’s small economy, wages and salaries since 1992 have reflected progressive trends.
Additionally, the seven percent increase paid to pubic servants, including teachers in December 2005, is far more than many private sector employees received for that period.
Minister Jeffrey agreed that teachers should be paid more, but also pointed out that teachers’ salary today reflects an approximate 700 percent increase and the minimum wage of a teacher is US$110.
“There has been tremendous improvement in the salary, but I am not for one moment suggesting that there should not be more improvement, but I am saying that we must accept that there has been significant real improvement,” he added.
Government also provides training for hundreds of teachers and in 2005, 500 school teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). Government also established eight distance education in-service training centres in Regions One, Seven and Nine, which is benefiting 200 teachers.
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Dramatic poetry and calypso segment ends
-as second day of Schools Mash Competition concludes
Georgetown GINA, February 01, 2006
The dramatic poetry and calypso segment of the Schools’ Mash competition ended today as day two of the competition concluded at the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.
Children of various age groups from a number of schools in Georgetown, on the East Bank and East Coast Demerara as well as other areas brilliantly recited pieces of dramatic poetry and sang calypsos and were judged on these performances.
The competition saw Shushala Charraan, who represented the Albouystown Nursery School in the nursery poetry category delighting the audience with her recital of the poem “Nuff Action”. Her piece was the most talked about one and she, along with the Albouystown Nursery School were awarded first place in the category.
Judges awarded Shonell Nurse who represented the Lodge Nursery School with her performance “Hurry for School” second place while third place went to Aariya Persaud, representing Happy Hearts Nursery School, who recited a poem titled “Celebrating six races.”
Many of the participants performed their pieces wearing colourful, glittering costumes. These were used to reinforce their performance.
One such illustration was a dramatic piece done in the age 5-7 primary category by Peaches Jarvis representing the South Ruimveldt Primary. Her poem was called “Ms Pepper” and Jarvis was attired in a red pepper-like costume. She was subsequently awarded first place in the category. Second place went to Shaneeza Saw of F.E Pollard for her recital of the poem “Cultural Mix” while third place went to Kenola Drayton of St. Gabriel’s Primary.
In the age 11-14 category, Shonnette Walker of St Gabriel’s Primary was first prize winner, reciting the poem “Abstinence” while second and third places went to Brickdam Secondary and St John’s College respectively.
The participants also performed in the calypso singing competition. At the secondary level, St George’s High captured the first prize in the calypso group song segment.
The children’s Schools’ Mash competition, organised by the Ministry of Education will end on February 3 with a masquerade and dance final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The competition and several other competitions are usual preliminaries leading up to the main event, Mashramani, on February 23. Mashramani 2006, in observance of Guyana’s 36 th year as a Republic, will be held under the theme “Showcasing a cultural mix in 2006”.
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Acting President visits flood-affected areas in Mahaicony
-additional shelter opened
Acting President visits flood affected areas in Mahaicony
Part of the flooded area in Mahaicony
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2006
As Government’s flood assessment and interventions continue, Acting President Samuel Hinds today visited a number of flood-affected areas in the Mahaicony Creek and Branch Road, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).
During the visit, a decision was taken to have an additional shelter opened at the Strathcampbell Primary School on the Mahaicony Branch Road.
“I came here to see how you are doing and to assure you that the government is doing everything to ease the situation,” the Acting President said.
The shelter will accommodate at least ninety persons, with both the top and half of the bottom flat of the school opened for use.
Captain Kenlloyd Roberts of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) assisted in setting up the shelter, while arrangements were made for supplies to be provided to ‘shut-ins’.
Mr. Hinds also visited the two other shelters set up at Mortice Primary in the Branch Road area and another at the Gordon Table Primary School in the Mahaicony Creek.
Some of the other areas visited were Perth, Branch Road where Mr. Hinds, during consultations with residents, decided that two additional mobile tractor pumps would be provided for the area.
Meanwhile, residents of L’Enterprise Central Mahaicony, also affected, were assured by the Regional Vice Chairman, Jallalodeen Baksh that a tube will be placed in the community to assist in draining the water from the area.
Also accompanying the Acting President was Regional Engineer Dennis Tahal.
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