Georgetown : In a swift response to address flooding along sections of the coastland,
the National Emergency Operations Centre was activated. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon advised that this was done as a national response to the overnight flooding. The meeting took place at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Thomas lands, Georgetown. “It’s an unusual situation and therefore we have to think and act outside of the box. We cannot have a normal reaction and that is why under my direction the national emergency operation centre was activated… this is what they were created to do and that is why we will utilise all of the resources, not just state resources but all of the others, stakeholders, civil society to deal with this situation,” Minister Harmon explained.
Minister Harmon who was part of the high-level team that also includes other Ministers of Government, representatives of various critical state agencies, the Red Cross and other organisations, explained that a detailed response is being put together by these stakeholders.
He explained that a localized response utilizing all the national assets including experts and persons with specific skills and knowledge, is being brought together so as to restore communities to normalcy is the shortest possible time.
The plan will concentrate on three essential areas, the disruption in national life, response to people who might be misplaced and those whose to properties and other assets have been damaged.
The Minister of State advised, “we want to say to the nation that the Government is very aware of what is taking place, we are taking steps on behalf of the people to ensure that people’s lives are not disrupted in a prolonged way. We will use all the resources available to the state to bring them to bare on this situation so that the people’s lives can go on as normal”.
An aerial inspection of the affected areas in regions two, three, four and five was done and has provided valuable information on steps that need to be taken to address the situation.
From what was reported, additional and more specific information is needed particularly in the areas of Den Amstel, Leonora and Uitvlugt in Region 3 and in Region Four, the areas between Ogle and Buxton. These areas, along with Georgetown are the ones that are especially affected by the heavy rainfall. To facilitate this, teams have been placed on the ground to monitor and report on the situation.
Meanwhile according to the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, all sluices, pumps and drainage canals are in working order. He added that teams from his Ministry at various locations to provide immediate emergency services if the need arises.
The Minister explained that the possibility of getting additional pumps from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority is being considered.
The Government has committed to keep the nation informed of its plans and initiatives to bring relief to the residents of the flood hit communities.
Meanwhile, having gotten instructions from President David Granger prior to his departure to attend the summit of the Unions of Southern Nations in Brazil, several Ministers visited flood affected areas in Georgetown.
Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin and a team from his Ministry visited and interacted with business owners and staff in the affected areas on Regent Street to have a firsthand look at the situation. During his interaction, Minister Gaskin explained that the Government is doing everything possible to bring relief to the situation. The Minister’s visit was highly appreciated by the businessmen and women with whom he engaged.
In C Field Sophia, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence along with Junior Social Protection Minister Simona Broomes interacted with several affected residents who explained their situation and asked for speedy interventions by the administration so as to bring them relief.
Meanwhile, residents of Festival City and North and South Georgetown interacted with Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, who visited the communities to assess the situation.
Overall, residents have expressed satisfaction of the Government’s intervention, particularly with Ministers visiting the variously affected areas. Evidence of the water receding in most areas was also evident and this was credited to the major Cleanup Campaign that commenced shortly after President Granger was elected to office.
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