Govt reaffirms commitment to support Pakuri Village amid flash flood crisis

– distributed over 400 hampers

The Government has reassured residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri Village of its unwavering commitment to supporting them not only in prosperous times but also during hardships.
This reassurance was made by the Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, following the recent heavy downpours which led to severe flooding in the area.
“The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is not a Government that is there only in good times and times of celebration but even amid your misery and struggles. We are not a fair-weather Government; we are there with you every time, on every occasion, and for every season. It has to be so,” McCoy stated.
He further emphasised that the government’s role extends beyond photo opportunities and being present only when things are going well. According to him, the government is committed to helping the community navigate every situation, finding solutions, and providing support through difficult times.
During the outreach over the weekend, some 400 hampers were distributed to residents.

“Today’s activity serves as a way of supporting you in cleaning up and getting back to your usual operations. We have provided cleaning hampers and food hampers for every household. We understand that people’s livestock and farm households were affected, and these hampers come from our genuine concern and interest in the people of the village. We want to see you through this difficult time and help you recover,” McCoy added.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Toshao Alvoro Simons expressed his gratitude for the government’s initiative, highlighting the road repair work that was done as workers from the village council received aid from the Public Works Ministry and the CDC.
“Our entrance road was repaired in 24 hours, and the council acted quickly on that. Villagers had a sense of comfort knowing that help was coming and that we had the CDC on board,” Simons stated.
“We had excavators come from the Ministry of Public Works; however, the laborers were all sourced from the village.”
Additionally, he mentioned that this effort was not just about repairing the road but also ensuring that residents don’t have to face another repeat of what happened during the flash flood period.
“As the village develops and we have more experienced people, including engineers, coming in, it’s a learning process. While it might not have been perfect this year, we’re going to propose to the government at the NTC that the road needs further attention,” he said
Amid his views, he expressed great thanks to the government for its progressive swift help.
“The road is in a much better state now. I must commend them for acting so quickly. It wasn’t just the three parts that broke away; they also did some remedial work on other parts. We are very thankful for their swift action,” Simons added.
St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri Village Flash Flooding
On June 25, a severe weather event struck St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri Village, resulting in a flash flood that caused extensive damage. The downpour persisted for approximately 12 hours thus flooding homes and farms along the Mahaica River and severely damaging infrastructure.
By the morning of June 26, residents woke to find roads leading into the village washing away. Reports of flooding from various parts of the village began pouring in, detailing the widespread impact on both residential and agricultural areas.
In response, the local village council, comprising a 16-member team, convened early at the community center. The council, under the leadership of its newly elected chairperson, acted swiftly to coordinate with relevant agencies, including the Community Disaster Committee (CDC), the Regional Transportation Committee (RTC), and the Prime Minister’s office. This coordination was crucial in mobilising resources and providing immediate relief to the affected residents.
Throughout the day, continuous communication between the council and these agencies facilitated rapid action. The CDC was instrumental in delivering aid, including essential hampers for the affected families. Moreover, the council prioritised the restoration of the village’s main access road, which was accomplished in an impressive 24-hour period. This feat was made possible by the relentless efforts of local workers who labored around the clock to ensure the road was repaired promptly.
The swift and efficient response by the village council, supported by the CDC, provided much-needed relief and reassurance to the residents. The community expressed gratitude for the timely assistance and the council’s dedication to keeping them informed about ongoing relief efforts. The collaboration between the council and various agencies underscored the importance of preparedness and community solidarity in the face of natural disasters.