Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com
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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