WCD flood victims demand compensation

Residents on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) who were affected by a flood caused by a high spring tide are calling on the relevant authorities as it related to the compensation that they were promised.
When Guyana Times spoke to the aggravated residents on Monday, they noted that they have not received any word on the compensation that was owed to them.
A livestock farmer, whose only name was given as Singh, explained that all of his livestock were killed or injured in the floodwaters. As such, his income vanished.
“What happen is that we ain’t hear from these people and we need the money. Right now I don’t have anything. I lost all the chickens in the flood,” he stated.
Meanwhile, others indicated that owing to infrastructural losses, they needed the monies to restore their lives. The early March flood also destroyed appliances and other valuable belongings.
As such, members of the affected communities are requesting that they receive their compensation as soon as possible.
When contacted, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Uitvlugt/Tuschen, Vishal Ambedkar, revealed that they have not received any official confirmation about the compensation and that “it will fall from an official at the RDC level”.
However, when this publication spoke via phone with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Julius Faerber, he said: “I don’t know anything about that. We have not heard anything. Those lists were sent directly to the Minister of State. I have not seen any of those lists so far.”
Earlier this month, huge waves pummelled the sea defence, causing breakages along sections of the seawalls and major flooding in a number of communities along the coast. As such, losses totalling approximately $100 million were assessed by the Geographical Representative and Member of Parliament (MP), Mohammed Irfaan Ali and submitted to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. However, they were awaiting a final confirmation from Minister Harmon to verify whether the assessments were accurate. To date, no response has been given to the flood victims in respect to the status of their compensation.