No consultations held with regional administration – Chairman

Region 2 refugees center

Amid the announcement by the National Multi-Sectorial Coordinating Committee to establish a relief centre in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to support Venezuelan migrants, the region’s Chairman has ascertained that no consultations were facilitated with the regional administration before making this decision.
Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said, “I don’t know anything about that. As far as I know, the regional administration was never consulted on a support centre to be built here. This is something that I’m unaware of.”
Initial reports from the Multi-Sectorial Committee suggested that Monday’s meeting facilitated discussions on the project, whereby it was affirmed that a two-storey building was identified by the “regional administration” to serve as a support centre for refugees within the area.
The Ministry of the Presidency stated that migrants will have access to a wide range of support services, such as documentation and immunisation assistance at

that location.
In fact, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has injected funds to rehabilitate an existing building, which will materialise shortly.
The Regional Chairman explained that persons within the region are still facing constraints from issues affecting the region. Just a few weeks ago, farmers were placed in a predicament after the seed paddy which they obtained –GRDB 10 – did not germinate, causing additional financial burden to replant acres of land.
“To the best of my knowledge, no support was given and the situation remains the same and its really affecting the industry. Those farmers would have had to bear the expenses of replanting the paddy,” Ramdatt said.
The cost for one bag of seed paddy is about $5000. Since the seeds did not germinate, a loss is incurred while additional money is spent to buy new seeds and replant. Some farmers have bought over 100 bags of seeds which they had to return.
Meanwhile, Citizenship Minister Winston Felix expressed that the Guyana Police

Force (GPF) will conduct joint operations along Eteringbang and communities in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) for immunisation processes. Ranks were also tasked with ensuring that boats ferrying passengers to the region from Venezuela report to immigration authorities stationed at key areas along the Pomeroon River.
The number of documented Venezuelan migrants in Guyana is a significant 3868. However, the influx is heavily concentrated in Region One (Barima-Waini), where support is always needed for materials and food supplies.
In 2018, the Government admitted that immigration authorities have limited capacity in tracking immigrants after they arrive in Guyana, even though data is collected when many of them enter Guyana through the borders.