–Reg. 3 farmers grateful for flood relief grant

THOUSANDS of farmers from Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara) turned out on Saturday morning at various sites across the region to receive their flood-relief cash grant, which is intended to provide financial assistance to people who suffered losses due to the recent unprecedented floods.

The Sunday Chronicle visited some of these locations where persons were eager to receive their grant, and after doing so, they expressed their intention of investing the money back into their farmlands to resuscitate their means of sustenance, and, in some cases, rebuild their lives.

Among these persons was 64-year-old Brihaspatte Ram of Good Hope, Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, a single parent who relies on public assistance, as well as her cash crops for her living. When the floods hit, in addition to her crops, her house was completely ravaged.

“I had a house, and it fall down when the water flood,” she told the Sunday Chronicle while expressing how happy she is to receive the grant. In addition to using the funds to revive her farmlands, she will also now be able to re-build her house.

Jasoda Chand, age 78, also of Good Hope, Canal Number One, a widow who depends on her cash crops, fruit trees, and pension for her livelihood was also among the beneficiaries on Saturday.

She told the Sunday Chronicle that it is difficult for her to estimate the exact number of losses she suffered as a result of the floods, and even though the cheque she received will not be able to cover those losses in its entirety, she is satisfied because it will help her to farm again.

“I am happy for it; I am very thankful and grateful for it. I am satisfised for anything; is still something. I will see to buy back some more plants; you always got to keep on the go,” she told the Sunday Chronicle.

Further, 70-year-old Vishnu Lilkhan, a resident of Canal Number One who plants pineapples and citrus for a living, was also grateful for the flood relief grant.

“It [the flood] caused a lot of damage, because the water was there for weeks, and it wilted the plants. This [money] will come in handy for manure; I will use it to set up back the place, and buy some more plant,” Lilkhan told the Sunday Chronicle.

While the flood relief grant will not compensate him for all of his losses, he posited that “Anything will work; you got to be thankful for anything.”

Meanwhile, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., was one of the ministers who travelled to various locations across the region to kickstart the distribution of the flood relief grant on Saturday. This newspaper understands that a total of $500M was distributed in the region.

He told the thousands of residents who gathered at Belle West Primary, Endeavour Secondary, L’Aventure Secondary, and McGillivray Primary Schools that while the flood relief grant is only a small measure to offer compensation, it is to ensure farmers can return to their lands.

Many residents complained to the Attorney- General that while they have suffered terrible losses, their names were not on the list to receive the cash grant; a wrong he vowed to ensure is corrected.

The money allocated to each beneficiary is calculated based on the losses they suffered. A list with names was prepared for the money to be distributed, and those who are not on the list will receive their grants within two weeks, once clarifications are made.

Nandlall explained that unlike the school system, where there is a register of names of students which is used to distribute the school cash grant, there is no register of farmers, and some persons will be missed during the registration process. He urged them to make contact with the personnel responsible for the distribution of the grants and register their names, so that they will be able to receive the grants.

“We have to also guard against persons who are dishonestly pretending that they suffer losses… While we want the system to be fair, we want every person to fairly, equitably and legitimately benefit; we will not allow the system to be abused. So, all the smart men who think they can con the system; it won’t happen,” Nandlall said.

The distribution of the cash grant was announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on August 1, 2021, who highlighted that approximately 52,000 households across 300 communities had been affected by the unprecedented level of floodwaters.