Dear Editor,
The rapid opening of Chinese supermarkets/hardware stores around this country is welcomed or resented by many. Regardless of one’s opinion, the Chinese approach towards business seems more effective in attracting customers even though some of their prices differs from other sectors. Apart from that, the Chinese seemed very patient towards hostility and are quickly adopting the attitude of interacting with the populace in a friendly manner. In addition, they are the first to open and last to close their doors. Because of the astronomical rent the Chinese are offering to pay for a building, especially those in busy locations, many who could facilitate them jump to the opportunity to offer their building. The Chinese are not interested is any fancy building, just somewhere that they could display and store the various items they sell.
Editor, because of the various terms of agreement offered, the building don’t have to be complete, just what the Chinese need, and in many cases, the Chinese complete the rest of the works on the building on their own, which would be ceiling, electrical wiring, welding etc. I’ve no issue they doing their work, some possess the required skills, but alarmingly, many Chinese stores could be seen shabbily built with poor electrical wiring and many of their electrical outlets are overloaded with inferior plugs/points, which are banned in this country, but still available on shelves for sale countrywide. It should be of concern with the amount of fires occurring at Chinese stores and the causes and what systems are in place to prevent future mishaps – but no one seems to care.
Finally, Editor, I was sitting in a car facing a Chinese supermarket located in Barnwell, EBE, and an occupant observed a small flame. Within five minutes, the whole ceiling was engulfed in flames. Are the Fire Service and GPL randomly inspecting these buildings? Ironically, everything within the building got destroyed, only pieces of the building walls remaining. To my amazement, construction started back on the very building with fraction of walls that survived the fire being used instead of getting replaced. I was very curious of what was taking place and took a closer look and observed that instead of the steel columns (post) which would be around 8,10,12 inches squared (based on building size/contractor’s recommendations), a hallowed section (to my average 2 inches square and 2mm thickness) was being used for column posts. I’m curious as to who approved that building to be built in Guyana, and if they monitored the construction? An average man building a house in Guyana gets the royal run around from GPL, GWI but those who can afford to grease the hands that give approval are given free reins to practice illegalities here. Guyana’s development nice!
Sincerely,
Sahadeo Bates