Two engineers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as well as technical staff from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) have been deployed by Government to the villages of Itabac and Kanapang in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight). The mission is to conduct an assessment of the damaged roads and buildings and to facilitate water quality testing and set up purification systems, with a view to determining the long-term response that will be required from the State. Additionally, a reinforcement team of doctors and other representatives of the Ministry of Public Health will be dispatched to the region tomorrow.
Acting Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig updating members of the media, earlier today
This was announced today by the acting Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Major Kester Craig at a press conference held at the Commission’s headquarters to update the media on the flood situation in the region.
The deployment comes one day after Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, visited the villages, which were severely flooded due to the overtopping of several rivers, including the Ireng River. During a meeting with residents on Sunday, Minister Harmon had assured them that the Government will use every resource at its disposal to restore normalcy in the communities, which will range from the restoration of livelihoods to the rebuilding of homes.
The damage to the road between Kanapang and Itabac, which was one of the major concerns raised by the villagers during the Minister’s visit, will be examined, while a team comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the GWI will be visiting the flood-affected communities to conduct further assessments of the damages and impacts to housing, agriculture and water.
Meanwhile, Major Craig said that floodwaters continue to recede in all of the affected areas in Region Eight, with the water having fully receded from the land in some of the communities. Floodwaters have receded off the land in both Itabac and Kanapang though the water level in the Ireng River remains fairly high due to rainfall over the past two days.