A joint effort between the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and insurance company, GTM will see a long-awaited fire station being established in Lethem.
The RCCI and GTM are continuing discussions in an effort to see how the insurance company could support this initiative and further talks are scheduled this week. “I hope something positive will emerge from this discussion”, President of the RCCI, Alfred Ramsaran told Stabroek News. He recalled that the company had committed to assisting and designs for the building were being awaited.
A devastating fire on the night of February 14 which destroyed the Wayka’s Store in the remote community saw residents renewing their call for the establishment of a fire station in the growing community neighbouring Brazil.
On the night of Valentine’s Day, the fire destroyed the business complex, which comprised a series of connected structures and housed a general store, a bond, and internet café as well as living quarters in the rear, where owner Ann Ramsaran and her daughters lived.
Millions in stock were lost and 15 persons were left without jobs. The store had targeted the Brazilian market and the loss of stock alone has been estimated at around $200 million. In the wake of the fire, residents restated the urgent need for a fire station in the growing border community.
Several regional officials had noted that they had long lobbied for a fire service station to be established there but their pleas were not heeded.
Ramsaran noted yesterday that even before the fire, the RCCI had about three meetings with GTM and the company had agreed to give some sponsorship in setting up the building.
He said that the spot was identified and designs were being awaited from the Fire Service. After this is received, the means of support will be identified. Ramsaran said that it will be a joint effort of the Chamber and GTM.
Meanwhile, while they have not been officially told the cause of the fire, from indications, the origin was electrical, Ramsaran said.
As regards, the soldiers attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) base at Lethem who “assisted” in “rescuing” some stock but reportedly also looted some items; he said that he has not heard much on investigations into this.
Following the fire, Ramsaran had told Stabroek News that they were aware that some of the soldiers who were assisting took away cellular phones. “They were caught going away with it and they were taken away and so on,” he said. He had also said that although the police were there, they did not fully cordon off the area and there was some amount of looting of items. “People come in and just pick up stuff,” he had said.
At the time, he had noted that reports were that soldiers were among the people who carried away items.
Contacted yesterday, Public Affairs Officer of the GDF Windee Algernon said that she has not heard anything. When contacted following the report of the soldiers helping themselves, she had said that she would check and send a statement. “There’s nothing to it as far as I’m aware”, Algernon said yesterday.
