Tag: Relief

Flood-affected Lindeners get relief

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Emergency relief supplies have been delivered to flood-hit communities in Linden, where dozens of households were affected by flash flooding on Wednesday.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Thursday visited residents from Silvertown and the neighbouring areas of First, Second, and Third Alley in Wismar — locations that bore the brunt of the floodwaters.

To assist affected families, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) swiftly mobilised support. An initial batch of cleaning supplies and food hampers was delivered to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 for distribution, with a second round of supplies arriving the same day. The hampers included food, disinfectants, and essential household items.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering both immediate aid and sustainable flood mitigation. He noted that engineers from the RDC are already on the ground conducting technical assessments of the drainage infrastructure to inform future improvements and reduce flood risks in the area.

Accompanying the Prime Minister were key regional officials, including his Regional Representative for Region 10, Orin Wilson; former Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira; Regional Executive Officer, Dwight John; and Town Clerk of the Linden Mayor and Town Council, Lennox Gasper.

Relief efforts are expected to continue over the coming days as assessments progress and clean-up operations begin.

 

Prime Minister Phillips interacting with residents

Flood relief projects to open up 85,000 acres of land for small farmers

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Heavy public investments aimed at preventing flooding across the country will result in the opening up of some 85,000 acres of farmland in Regions Five and Six.

This is according to Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who was at the time speaking at his weekly press briefing on Thursday.

Dr Jagdeo pointed out that the government is working on a flood relief programme which will be funded by 85 per cent of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) earnings.

This money will be used to “build sluices around the country, 40 additional pumps—even for Georgetown, the one at Liliendaal that we are building—and to build these canals (Hope-like canals) right across the country, that was the idea, we started the consultation,” he said.

“So in Region Five, we have an $18 billion project funded only from LCDS money—not a cent from taxpayers. We are going to build 86 kilometres of flood protection embankments. An embankment from Mahaica to Mahaicony, like the conservancy dam we have here in Region Four—45.9 km—and Mahaicony to Abary—40 km… 510 km of internal drains, 283 km between Mahaica and Mahaicony, and between Mahaicony and Abary, 226 km,” he explained.

The Vice-President further highlighted that these works will significantly benefit farmers within Regions Four and Five, as they will open up thousands of acres of land, providing substantial support for small-scale farmers.

“So we are now going to open up new lands, apart from saving the other communities. Between Mahaica and Mahaicony, we are going to open up 31,000 acres of land, and between Mahaicony and Abary, 24,000 acres of land. So that’s 55,000 acres of new land that would be available for distribution, particularly to small farmers—the people who are just starting—because a lot of our smaller farmers now need land to expand cultivation. That will bring a massive increase in Gross Domestic Product, create new growth poles, etc.,” the Vice-President said.

He added that in Region Six, 42 km of flood embankment will be developed, along with 103 km of internal drains. This project will open up an additional 30,000 acres of land.

He also explained that while this project will create new land for cultivation, it will significantly reduce flooding within the surrounding communities.

Vice president of Guyana

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Relief: Parents welcome waiver of fees for CSEC, CAPE

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The initiative by President Dr Irfaan Ali for the government to cover the cost of at least eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects for both private and public school students has been met with much relief from parents.

They would otherwise have had to pay several thousand dollars for their children to sit the regional examination.

Several parents who spoke with Ignite News today expressed their support for the government’s initiative.

Lison Goliver, whose son will be writing CSEC at President’s College next year, said she is very pleased with the President’s announcement. She shared that last year, her daughter wrote 10 CSEC subjects and had to pay the full cost of approximately $58,000, as she did not meet the criteria to receive government assistance.

“So last night I was pleased in my heart because I know that my son, who will be writing at least 10 subjects too, I wouldn’t have that burden,” Goliver told Ignite News. She said the President’s announcement was timely, and the money saved could be put to different use.

Selena Persaud said she too is happy about the government’s initiative, since, like many other parents, she is finding it difficult to gather the sums needed to pay examination fees. Her daughter will be writing eight subjects, and that cost will now be fully covered by the government.

Bourda Market vendors Sherine and Alicia also applauded the government’s move to assist parents with the CSEC fees.

Sherine, who has one child preparing for CSEC, expressed gratitude that the government will finance the subjects. She said that while her child is set to write 12 CSEC subjects, she is happy to know that eight of those are already covered. “I am grateful because it will give a further step to the children,” she said.

Alicia noted that many parents will benefit, as some are not financially stable. “It is very good that the President has reached out to us, and I think it’s going to benefit a lot of us,” she said.

She added that with the extra money, she can provide additional lessons for her child or allocate the funds to other needs.

In his announcement on Wednesday, President Ali said that parents are currently in the process of preparing to pay their children’s CSEC fees and are setting this money aside. He noted, however, that “with effect from this year’s CXC, the government will pay in full the cost for at least eight subjects for every single child in the public and private school system”.

Today, in a special announcement, the Head of State said that the CSEC initiative will now be extended to students taking the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The President stated that he will ensure no child is compelled to limit the number of CSEC subjects they write due to their parents’ financial circumstances. As such, “…the initiative goes beyond CSEC, it will also include the CAPE students, and they too will benefit from this initiative,” he announced.

CSEC payments for 2026 will be made in November this year. Every child writing these subjects will benefit from the government initiative.

President Dr Irfaan Ali