Govt mulls new fire station at Rose Hall amid alarming number of fires in Reg 6

…hydrants earmarked for developing areas

Over 200 fires across Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have led the Government to consider new strategies, among which is a new fire station in the township of Rose Hall.
This was according to President Irfaan Ali during his press conference on Friday, after wrapping up a two-day outreach to the region last week.
“In the region, I think we have had more than 200 fires last year. This is something that is concerning for us. We have to do an education programme and we have to address this. The Rose Hall area is a major aspect that we have to work with in expanding capacity, maybe a new station to cover that huge aspect that includes expanded residential and commercial zones.”
Among the activities done during the outreach was an inspection of hydrants. Out of 20, 10 are working while the others are under immediate repairs. Inter-agency efforts will see hydrants being introduced in developing areas.
“We’re hoping that they can bring those into operation within the next month. I know the Ministry of Housing and Water is going to work closely with the Guyana Fire Service in expanding hydrants in the new areas. We’re also looking at mapping water catchment areas to support the Fire Service and having those areas clearly designated,” Ali indicated.
Fire stations had been previously planned for new townships – Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini); Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was also getting ready to build a fire station in Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Collectively, the fire stations in the county of Berbice: New Amsterdam and Rose Hall Town, which are in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and Onverwagt in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) make up the Berbice Fire Division.
Meanwhile, during the outreach, some 200 cases relating to the National Insurance Scheme were addressed, with some 40 per cent already resolved.
The President shared, “This is an area that is of grave concern in the region also. They dealt with almost 200 cases, and about 40 per cent are already resolved. There is another 20 per cent that is in the process of being resolved. The remainder would have follow-up action to be resolved.”
Along with NIS, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) also rectified a number of cases that were raised by citizens.