Rumblings in Guyana over relief distribution
Minister of Hydraulics,
Anthony Xavier, has angered
many
by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Head of the Guyana
Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Edward Collins, has suggested
that the country's Civil Defence Commission (CDC) take over relief operations
before the arrival of the international assistance. Collins is also suggesting
that the CDC be given the responsibility for the receipt, storage,
distribution and accounting of all relief supplies.
In speaking with the President, the
Brigadier cautioned that there are indications of serious discomfort among
local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and several
donor agencies over the present manner in which the relief effort is being
handled.
NGOs have complained in their communications
about the conduct of political functionaries and cabinet members.
However, Caribbean Net News has
learnt that the President has no confidence in the CDC, which is being headed
by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon, and had hinted to the press that,
right after the present state of affairs, government would restructure the
CDC.
Collins also suggested that public health
warnings be used to persuade many residents to voluntarily relocate to other
unaffected areas in order to avoid a health crisis, adding that relocation "is
likely to reduce the stress on a fragile environment" where the risks and
hazards to health and human life posed by the consequences of the flooding
include unsanitary conditions, poor waste disposal and contamination created
by sewage and dead animals.
The army chief went on to advise that
transparent publication of reports "and demonstrated public assurances of
equity" be done by the authorities to dispel the heavily growing reports of
inequitable distribution of relief supplies and allegations of political and
racial favouritism demonstrated in the by-passing of some communities.
He has warned that even though the reports
are yet to be confirmed, they are being transmitted within communities in
Regions Three and Four and are causing great discontent and disquiet among an
already tense population.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and
Hydraulics, Carl Anthony Xavier, has contracted the services of Dipcon, a
Trinidadian company, to pick up carcasses along the East Coast from Enterprise
to Liliendaal.
However the hiring of the Trinidadian
company has angered many who feel that residents could simply clean-up their
surroundings. "We grew up in a self-help society, why they must import labour
to clean our community?" asked one young lady.
Officials told Caribbean Net News they are also fearful of the heavy
rain forecasted for this weekend, weather officials say the rains are expected
to begin on Thursday.
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