Gafoors ready to rebuild, relocate staff to sister stores

By Alva Solomon

BUSINESSMAN Sattaur Gafoor was already making plans to restart business at the Gafoors Houston Complex on the East Bank of Demerara even as firemen poured water yesterday on the debris from Monday’s fire.At the same time, affected staff were reassigned to sister stores across the country, including at the Gafoors stores at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara; Nismes on the West Bank Demerara,

which was recently expanded; Land of Canaan, further up the East Bank; and at Parika, on the East Bank of Essequibo.

As firemen commenced investigating what caused gutting of the multi-billion-dollar complex yesterday, workers cleared debris from a section of the building which was under construction when the fire hit on Monday.

Gafoor himself, surrounded by staff, was looking on as workmen cleared the site while others busied themselves packing items which were saved from the fire.
Workmen were preparing that section of the building for business, which is likely to restart as soon as the businessman receives the go-ahead to restart selling at the location.

RELOCATION

A remarkably composed Gafoor told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday at Houston that the 530 staff members of the Lots 1 & 2 Area ‘X’ Houston complex were invited to meet with the company that morning to discuss the events of the previous day and to determine the way forward.

He said that during the discussions, staff members were advised they would be relocated to the company’s sister businesses across Regions 3 and 4.

He said that a section of the staff would remain at Houston, and 25% of the others at Houston were asked to await information on a

possible restart date for business to resume at the complex.

He said that some 30 canter truck operators have been registered with the company to operate at its premises.

Gafoor said staff members were dispatched here yesterday to locate items which would be stocked and sold at the section of the complex that was saved from the fire.

Representatives from various insurance companies which provide coverage to the business entity met with Gafoor and his management team yesterday morning. “We are insured with a company which came to investigate,” he told this newspaper, noting that an agent looks after insurance matters on behalf of the company.

This newspaper was informed that several insurance companies, including Assuria Insurance, Hand in Hand Insurance, NAFICO and GTM among others, met with the management of Gafoors.

REBUILDING
Gafoor told this newspaper he would like to restart the process of conducting business at the location as early as possible, but he has to await the Guyana Fire Service completing investigations into the fire, and insurance companies would have to give the ‘green light’ to demolish and repair the damaged structure.

A substantial amount of items have been destroyed by the Monday afternoon fire, which started at about 15:50hrs and flattened seven top eight

bonds as well as an administrative block and other departments at the front of the complex. A section of the complex which was under construction when the fire struck was saved. It is there that business at the site will be managed.

The complex housed 15 storage bonds with items which are locally manufactured as well as imported. A staff member told this newspaper yesterday that Bond 1 was filled with electrical items, including a substantial amount of generators and water purification systems.
Bond 2 comprised quantities of paints and containers filled with thinners as well as bolts and nuts. Bond 3 stored tarpaulins and mainly fishing items; while Bond 4 was had a quantity of doors, including imported doors and cupboards as well as countertops, among other similar items. Bond 5 housed mainly windows and window fittings; Bond 6 had toilet sets and bathroom fittings and accessories of a similar nature. And Bonds 7 and 8, which were partially destroyed, housed mainly steel items. The remaining seven bonds escaped the flames on Monday afternoon.

The employee said the fire started in the roof of Bond 3, where a significant amount of Styrofoam was stored. “Right there the fire started, because I was downstairs and a lady from next door called out to another lady who was in Bond 3 and pointed to the smoke,” she said.

FULL SALARY
Another employee was high in praise for the business proprietor, noting that staff members were informed yesterday that those who were reassigned to other branches of the business will receive their full salary payments this month. “Whoever didn’t get a call, those who waiting, will receive half salary, which is good,” she said.

She added: “He (Gafoor) didn’t give up anybody; at least everybody getting look after.”

When this newspaper visited the site yesterday afternoon, workmen were more than 90% complete in the task of clearing debris from a section of the front of the complex. Electrical fittings, among other items, including air condition units, were being installed in that section of the complex. In addition, employees were drilling through a wall where an entrance door would be installed.

Gafoor was surrounded by staff members as other members of the business community visited the businessman and offered words of support.

Meanwhile, President David Granger and the Government of Guyana have expressed sympathy to Gafoor, his family and staff of the company on their losses as a result of Monday’s fire.

“The Government of Guyana regrets the tremendous financial loss, and is deeply concerned about the hundreds of workers that have been displaced due to this disastrous event,” the Government noted in a statement.

Gafoor said he received a call from President Granger, who offered his sympathy on the loss. In addition, he said, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, was at the scene on Monday, while Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green was also present at the time of the fire.

A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said Gafsons Industries Limited is an iconic member of Guyana’s corporate community and is extremely important to the economic health of the nation.

“The Government of Guyana is profoundly saddened, and extends wishes for a speedy rebuilding process,” the statement read.