Guyana government waives duty and taxes on relief supplies

Guyanese speaking with Jagdeo at State House

by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: Government officials in Guyana have made a decision to waive Customs Duty and Consumption Tax on food and relief supplies being brought into the country for flood victims. 

With the flood situation remaining "grim", President Bharrat Jagdeo said if the rains continue, then forced evacuation will have to take place to move people to safety. 

Addressing a press conference at State House in Georgetown over the weekend, the President stated that the waiver is necessary as supplies of food items in Guyana are becoming depleted. The waiver also covers an approved list of food items imported into Guyana for commercial use. 

Caribbean Net News was able to view the list of the approved, commercially imported items, which included among other things garlic, onions, potatoes, butter, cheese, cooking oil, corned beef and salt. . 

Because of the scarcity of food items in the city, shipments are coming in from Berbice and Essequibo. 

Meanwhile, the President pointed out that contingent on the ongoing assessment of the situation, his government may be forced to commit more than $200 million to advance the relief efforts, especially if the rains continue. 

In dealing with the evacuation issue, Jagdeo said some people are reluctant to leave, expressing concern over the safety of their homes.. 

The Joint Operations Centre (JOC) on the weekend called the situation "grim" adding that, providing the rains continue, evacuation would have to be an option. According to the JOC, the establishment of suggested the 20,000-person capacity tent city at Timehri is still just a plan, but to execute it would mean acquiring a large donation of tents and other items to cater for that number of people.

Caribbean Net News understands that the JOC only have roughly 4,000 tents in its possession. There are some 30-plus boats that are being used in the relief operation and more are being sourced. However, if a mass evacuation is a must, President Jagdeo is hopeful that boats could be used to move the thousands of people to higher ground. 

Meanwhile as attempts are being made to get things back to normal, the United States government is assisting by deploying specialists here and is flying in boats to help evacuate flood victims as the international response to the Guyana Government’s appeal for help grows.

A shipment of supplies from the International Red Cross arrived Monday and neighbouring Brazil late Monday also, flew in another shipment of relief items to help meet the needs of thousands of flood victims.

In addition to this, Caribbean Cargo and Package Services and North American Airlines have teamed up to help airlift relief supplies to people displaced in the widespread flooding here, officials told Caribbean Net News Monday.

Bobby Vieira, President of the New York-based Caribbean Cargo, said his company became sympathetic to the present situation and he contacted the airline's officials to see what assistance can be offered.

Following some discussions with North American's Vice-President, Mr. Peter Bogovich and Director of Cargo, Mr. Jim Erickson, it was agreed that the airline would render assistance in moving some 50,000 pounds of essential food items during the next week on their regular flights.

Vieira (who is spearheading the project) said persons will be allowed to ship a 25-pound box to their relatives for only US$10. However, items such as radios and television sets will not be considered as relief supplies.

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