…discusses mitigating efforts
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday held an emergency high-level meeting with members of his Cabinet and representatives of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to assess the current flood situation in Guyana. 
The group, which included Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, met at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive to discuss ways of mitigating the effects of the flooding on low-lying housing areas and agriculture (crops and livestock) and to brainstorm solutions.
A post on the Office of the President’s social media page stated that Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn; Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill; Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira; Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and representatives from the GDF, including Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Head of the Civil Defence Commission, Kester Craig were also at the meeting.
Before the meeting ended, the President left with a team to inspect the flood situation at Mahaicony Creek. There, he visited First Savannah, Water Dog Creek and Gordon Table where he assessed, first-hand, the impact of the floodwaters on residents’ homes, livestock and crops.
Brigadier Bess and Craig accompanied the Head of State.
Several Government officials have visited affected areas over the last few days, including Prime Minister Phillips, who journeyed to Black Bush Polder in Berbice on Wednesday.
Guyana is faced with severe rainfall in several parts of the country and according to information from the Hydrometeorological Service, heavy rainfall will likely continue over the next few days.
