ASL flies in fuel, other supplies to Region 9
AIR Services Limited (ASL) is the latest to join the Private Sector relief effort in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASL, Captain Mazahar Ally responded to requests for assistance to move fuel and other supplies to Lethem, Rupununi.
Five 45-gallon drums of fuel, as well as tinned goods and supplies for sanitation purposes were flown to the region on one of ASL’s Cessna Caravan aircraft at approximately 14:00 hrs yesterday. It was at the request of Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn and Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel (rt’d) Chabilall Ramsarup, who are on the ground coordinating the relief.
The Aircraft Owners Association, a corporate member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), will also be providing an aircraft to assist businesses in South Rupununi communities, like Aishalton, with transport for goods and materials and the CDC will also be a beneficiary of this arrangement.
The South Rupununi villages are, usually, supplied from Lethem by trucks but the roads are now impassable.
Additionally, the PSC, through its mobilised membership, has established accounts at Republic Bank Limited (RBL) and GBTI to facilitate fund-raising efforts.
Meanwhile, up to yesterday afternoon, reports were that the heavy rains are continuing in the region.
President of Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Mr. Alfred Ramsaran, told the Guyana Chronicle that the rainfall is not an encouraging sign for those affected.
“We are trying to cope as best we can but supplies are a problem here, which is why we are grateful for all the support we can get,” he said. (Vanessa Narine)