Stabroek News
June 19, 2001

As investigations to determine the origins of Friday evening's Ministry of Housing fire began yesterday, staff of the ravaged offices were briefed on arrangements for their relocation.

Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh yesterday addressed staff at the Homestretch Avenue ruins on arrangements for their resettlement.

And contacted by Stabroek News yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Dindyal Permaul stated that his ministry is working feverishly to restart the work of the Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) Board.

He was, however, not in a position to determine where the staff will be placed. According to Dr Permaul, the D&I board is a critical arm of the agriculture ministry and the fire had a devastating effect on the department.

All of the department's equipment which includes computers, furnishings and some surveying instruments together with documents and records were consumed by Friday night's flames.

Dr Permaul however emphasized that contingency measures had been put in place where key and critical staff had begun the task of reconciling documents and records from personal copies.

Technical and engineering staff were working to secure copies of contracts with which they are associated to ensure that work on these is not hindered.

The PS was, however, not in a position to shed any light as to the number of employees that have been affected as a result of the loss of the building.

Baksh, contacted by this newspaper, stated that no concrete decision had been taken on a possible site for the ministry's temporary relocation but it was hoped that this could be finalised within a day or so.

Baksh further stated that ministry officials were presently examining two or three options and would be holding further discussions with staff.

Some of the staff, a source said, are expected to be sent on their annual leave as part of the arrangements to get the ministry back on its feet.

Baksh was not in a position to say what was the state of the building's wiring or when it was last inspected preferring to obtain this information from Chief Executive Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Myrna Pitt whom he said was in charge of overseeing such physical works.

Meanwhile, the ruling PPP/C in a statement said it is deeply disturbed by the Friday evening fire which destroyed the ministry. In a press release, the party said that the people of Guyana have again suffered and will have to bear the loss of yet another key ministry.

It expressed the hope that a comprehensive investigation will be carried out into the origins of the blaze.

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has also been commenting on the devastating effects of the fire which it said represents an enormous setback for the current programmes of the government.

In its press release, the GPSU stated that it was greatly concerned about the vast implications of the disaster, and is anxious to be a significant player in the discussions and actions which are urgently necessary to find a way forward.

As part of this gesture, the union has identified premises that could serve as temporary alternative locations. These include the Sophia Complex, the old Guyana Mortgage Finance Bank offices and the former GAIBANK building.

While re-emphasizing the need for safety and security regulations to be rigidly observed in all public offices to avoid a recurrence of such a disaster, the GPSU expressed its confidence in its members' ability to recognise the importance of their role in keeping the wheels of government turning. (Oscar P. Clarke)