Only 33% of fire hydrants are fully functional, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn has revealed.
Benn made the disclosure in a written response to questions from opposition Member of Parliament Geeta Chandan-Edmond.
Chandan-Edmond, who is the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, questioned the minister on the functionality of the hydrants subsequent to the October 3 2021 fire which reduced the Brickdam Police Station to ashes.
There over 777 fire hydrants across the country.
“A total of 471 fire hydrants were found to be inoperable following an assessment by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS). Several actions were taken to fix the fire hydrants in and around the city,” the Minister explained as he responded to questions on the length of time the hydrants have been non-functioning and what corrective actions were taken to fix it.
Benn, in one of his answers, said hydrants across the city have been inoperable for a number of years and while Georgetown developed, the hydrants were left behind.
According to Benn some 151 hydrants were repaired by Compass Industrial Services in conjunction with Brass Aluminum Cast Iron foundry (BACIF), which fabricated new hydrants using compatible mouldings.
It was further explained that all the fire hydrants across the country do not have access to water as they have been disconnected from the water mains due to vehicular accidents. He stated that these hydrants are deemed to be needing major repairs and will be repaired with the remainder of the inoperable hydrants.
Responding to Chandan-Edmond’s question on the percentage of public buildings not having access to a fire hydrant, the minister said a definite answer was not available.
“… The Guyana Fire Service has an ongoing campaign with direct focus on the implementation of new Fire Hydrants at specific Key Points and Vulnerable Points, the rehabilitation of existing ones and the upgrading of other fire hydrants around the country,” he added.
Benn stated that subsequent to the assessments by the GFS, fire hydrants are needed at Vreed-en-Hoop, Parika, Charity, Diamond, La Parfaite Harmonie, Rose Hall Town, Canje, Lethem, Port Kaituma, Linden, Bartica, Anna Regina and Mabaruma.
The neglect of hydrants has obstructed firefighting efforts on many occasions.
In 2018, Guyana Water Incorporated had reported that it had rehabilitated over 600 hydrants in the city at a cost of $25 million.
Last November, over 356 fire hydrants were inspected following a collaboration with the GFS and Guyana Water Incorporated.
“Of the total mentioned, one hundred twenty-one (121) hydrants are fully functional but are in need of maintenance such as painting and two hundred thirty-five (235) are inoperable with one hundred eighty-two (182) requiring minor repairs and fifty-three (53) requiring major repairs,” the GFS had said following the inspection.
Noting that hydrants play a vital role in saving lives and property in the event of a fire, the GFS urged members of the public to do their part to ensure they remain operable and accessible at all times.
It specifically called on citizens not to block fire hydrants. “Unobstructed access to fire hydrants shall be maintained at all times,” it said. “The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to fire hydrants. “
Citizens were also urged to ensure fire hydrants are protected and to report incidents of vandalism to the police or the GFS.
