WPA calls for hydrants repair, improvements in fire service
Stabroek News
November 18, 2003
The Working People's Alliance (WPA) is calling for a programme to be conducted immediately to survey and repair fire hydrants and for government to take appropriate steps right away to improve the effectiveness of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
The party is also urging government to immediately put in place an effective swift- response system involving the GFS, Guyana Power and Light, and the Guyana Water Inc.
In the wake of the destruction of three businesses by fire on Thursday night on Hadfield and Lombard streets, the WPA noted in a press release yesterday: "After hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on the water sector, fire hydrants are non-functional and water pressure inadequate for the needs of the Guyana Fire Service."
The party said this most recent disaster "highlights for the umpteenth time the lack of adequate provision of a basic effective fire-fighting arrangement by the Govern-ment of Guyana to deal with fire risks associated with a predominantly wooden city."
Observing that the recent fire destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property, causing untold suffering for the owners and their employees, the party said it hoped that all necessary forms of assistance would be given to them.
The WPA also extended profound sympathy to the owners of Auto Supplies Co., Royal Castle and Mohamed's Electrical, their staff, families and dependants.