Dear Editor,

UNDER every PPP/C administration, the response to national catastrophic occurrences by multi-sectoral government agencies is prompt and efficient, in attempts to alleviate suffering of victims on a short-term basis, while simultaneously strategising on contingency plans to implement systems to bring long-term solutions to prevent recurrence of disastrous incidents of a similar nature.

The government’s response that was effected with immediacy during the current flooding in various communities is a case in point.

Conversely, in a similar situation during the Coalition government’s tenure in office, the victims affected by floods were left in a quandary as to when and if David Granger’s government had any intention to address their distressing situation, because, when the issue of compensation for persons, especially hinterland dwellers who lost homes and all appurtenances within, particularly farmers who lost crops and livestock after the flooding was raised in Parliament on July 27, 2017 by opposition Parliamentarian Colin Croal, a Coalition government minister told the House that compensation is not usually provided by the state for such disasters faced by Guyanese.

The dire straits of victims of flooding under the Coalition administration were treated as unimportant by the government, as weeks after such a severe catastrophe had decimated homes and livelihoods, the Coalition minister informed the House that the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) were still compiling assessment reports.

Despite repeated queries by PPP/C MP Collin Croal on a timeline for the reports to be completed, the Coalition Minister prevaricated, as had become the norm with Coalition government ministers when challenged about their lack of timely intervention at crisis points affecting citizens of the land.

The Coalition minister had averred that a response to the crisis in Regions Eight and Nine was dependent on the outcome of a joint report between the governments of Guyana and Brazil, because Granger’s government had contended that a rise in the river levels in Brazil contributed to the flooding in the hinterland areas, which begged the question of whether residents of Regions Eight and Nine are not Guyanese citizens who are entitled to state assistance in a crisis, regardless of the circumstances, instead of awaiting the outcome of a blame game with a neighbouring country.

The Coalition minister who had said that “… compensation is not normally offered in situations like this” is erroneous. The correct response should have been: “Compensation is not normally offered in situations like this under the Coalition government,” because, in such situations under every PPP/C administration prompt needs assessments are normally carried out and immediate assistance provided, with requisite compensation and other interventions to restore life to normalcy following on a long-term basis, based on qualifying factors.

Yours sincerely,
Alvin Hamilton