Mahdia residents occupying the now devastated Arcade were warned two months ago of the dangers of their businesses being so close together and were urged to obtain at least two fire extinguishers each, Region Eight Chairman, Senor Bell says.
Bell speaking to Stabroek News less than 24 hours after a fire gutted 25 of the structures and left around 150 people homeless, said that this plea went unheeded. When the blaze erupted fire extinguishers could only be sourced from the Hinds Mini Mall which is owned by popular businessman Roger Hinds and a nearby gas station.
Bell explained that two months ago a safety workshop was held in the mining community and most of the business community turned up. He said that one of the main concerns was how close the buildings were to each other in the Arcade. Among the things discussed were safety equipment and the need for each business to have at least two extinguishers in the event of a fire. Bell said, to date business owners have not followed their advice.
Mahdia does not have a fire station, a fire tender or any sort of fire fighting equipment.
“Miners are always own way people. Why you think pollution is still going on? Millions are spent to educate them on mining and garbage but we are still not getting it”, Bell said when asked why the advice was not being followed.
He said that Thursday’s disaster should be seen as a lesson to the people of Mahdia.
The Regional Chairman later said that when the Arcade was constructed in the 1980s, it was to be used as a semi market. “No one was to build structures or live there,” he noted.
When he took over in 2001, he saw firsthand how close the infrastructure was and although concerned about it much could not be done.
Explaining how the situation later escalated, he said that persons from the coastland and other parts of Guyana relocated to the area and set up businesses. He said that these persons wanted to protect their property and later ended up living right there. From there families moved in and before long there were interior families living at the back of the structures in cramped conditions. Stabroek News was told that up until the fire seventeen families were living in the Arcade.
Bell informed this newspaper that no one was to lease the structures but in the wake of the fire, there are reports that this was done in a few cases. He said that before this is done, permission had to come from him and since this was not done “someone got paid… If one get then everyone should get.”
Supplies rolling in
The Regional Chairman told Stabroek News that the atmosphere has returned to some sense of normalcy and the 150 victims inclusive of children have been relocated. He said that some are staying with friends and relatives while 25 are being housed in a four-apartment building in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
He stated two that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was part of a delegation that visited the area yesterday and met with affected residents.
Stabroek News was told that the fire victims were given $10, 000. It is unclear if the money was given to each individual or each family.
Bell stated that two truck loads of three months of supplies will be arriving in the community soon and a number of cots and tents from the Guyana Relief Council were received yesterday.
He stated that the issue of the lack of a fire station was raised and the Prime Minister told those gathered that the issue will be looked at.
Meanwhile one affected resident, Timothy Junior told Stabroek News that he and his family were living in his structure which also accommodated a snackette and a spare parts store. His building was only scorched by the raging fire and he was able to remove many items from it.
Junior said that the delegation met with affected residents at the RDC office and in addition to the cash they were told that hampers and food to last a month will be given out later. He described the assistance they received yesterday as a ‘joke’ but said that he has accepted it and moved on. This newspaper understands that the delegation spent about six hours in the community before returning to the city via airplane.
Office of the President (OP) said yesterday that a number of interventions were made by the team after a damage assessment and needs analysis. It noted that the Civil Defence Commission is coordinating the response by government agencies and NGOs. Emergency shelter arrangements have been set up in the community’s schools for affected families while initial shipments of disaster supplies were airlifted into the area. “The Administra-tion has indicated its intention to further intervene and support the affected families in rebuilding and restoring their economic livelihood,” OP noted.
New Housing Scheme
In light of the cramped conditions in the Arcade, plans will be put in place to establish a housing scheme about one and a half miles from the commercial area. Junior said that Hinds told them that Housing officials will be in the area soon to regularize it and issue house lots to the fire victims. He explained that the idea is to separate the businesses and the living areas for the owners and their relatives. According to Junior, he doesn’t have a problem with this arrangement once he is able to continue his business.
He said that persons are awaiting the arrival of the housing officials before they start the clean up or rebuilding exercise.
“I am looking to get things in order with the help of government”, he added.
Meanwhile, another resident, pastor Aubrey Skeete said last evening that the fire has been completely extinguished but smoke was still rising from the ruins.
He reported that some people lost raw gold, pieces of jewellery and cash during the tragedy and people used the opportunity to loot. According to Skeete, persons were tumbling the ruins looking for valuables and some managed to get pieces of burnt gold. The looting was also confirmed by Bell who said persons have travelled to the area to try and take advantage of their plight. The situation was however quelled by the police in the area.
Skeete noted that business has resumed in the untouched section of the area and for residents “they have to pick up the pieces. Life has to go on.” He said that the fire has affected the community’s electricity supply as businessman Roger Hinds would supply the power. The fire burnt electrical wires and affected that supply.
Since then residents have either been in darkness or have been using small generators.
Skeete and other residents said that they are thankful that the fire had not spread farther and urged government to build a fire station as quickly as possible.
