LETHEM Mayor Carlton Beckles has rebuffed reports that the collapse of a building to pieces overnight on Wednesday in the Region Nine township was as a result of flooding.

The double-flat building, which is owned by businessman Frank Satnarine, stood in the commercial district of the area. It was expected to be converted into an agro-processing facility.
There were no reports of injuries; however, several dogs which were in the building at the time were trapped beneath the rubble. Sources at Lethem noted that the building was built at a cost amounting to more than G$200M.
A resident in the area told the Guyana Chronicle that while there were showers of rains and thunderstorms Wednesday night, residents believe that the building’s foundation was weak.
Beckles noted that there are several other buildings in the vicinity of the rubble, and as such, flooding could not be the cause of the collapse.
He said while there is inundation in sections of the town, there are many other buildings which over the years have withstood the test of time.
Beckles noted that while he sympathises with the owner of the structure over the loss, the businessman should carry out checks to determine why the building collapsed.
Lethem and communities within the region have been affected by floodwaters over the past several weeks. The rains have continued past the annual May/June season and this has affected several farms in the region.