The store affected the most belonged to Hazrat Ally. He had 43 employees.

According to Ally, there are no plans for re-employment as the future seems uncertain.

Arjune Chand of Trans Photo Studio and Computer Centre had 14 employees and was optimistic about the business’s future.

Meanwhile, Satesh Budhan of J&N Supermarket, where the blaze begun, had eight persons under his management and assured his staff that they will be re-employed shortly.

Business spokesman thankful bank, gas station saved
PRESIDENT of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Ramesh Maraj has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of billions of dollars in infrastructure and hardware, among other items, which were engulfed in the New Amsterdam blaze Friday night.

He nevertheless was thankful to the fire fighting crew whose quick coordination and professionalism managed to save the Guyana National Cooperative Bank, the New Building Society and a nearby GUYOIL gas station.

Describing the incident as the worst tragedy for the Berbice business community, Maraj said the Chamber had asked donor agencies for help in acquiring additional fire fighting equipment, preferably modernised, since the fittings are of imperial and metric specifications, making it difficult to coordinate efficiently.

He recalled the June 27, 2002 fire which destroyed a New Amsterdam bond owned by A. Ally, and said since then the need for better fire fighting equipment should have been addressed. - (JEUNE BAILEY VAN-KERIC).

Region Six administration expresses `deep sadness’
THE Regional Administration of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) has expressed its deep sadness to the business community of New Amsterdam, following the fire which destroyed 19 businesses.

“The after effects of this tragedy will impact heavily on our business community, loss of employment and income for several hundred persons.

“Most disturbing was that in the course of the fire, many persons with criminal intent, invaded the area and looted nearby stores, removing electrical and hardware articles.

“The Regional Administration joins with the Business Community in condemning this dastardly, heinous and shameful act and call on the police to investigate and apprehend those involved,” the regional administration said in a statement.

The statement noted that Minister of Local Government Mr. Harripersaud Nokta, Regional Chairman Kumkurran Ramdass, Regional Executive Officer Nankishore Persaud, Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P., Ramesh Rajkumar M.P. and Faizal Jaffarally Community Relations Officer visited the Pitt Street Area yesterday morning and expressed sympathy to those who suffered losses.

Minister of Trade, Commerce and Tourism Mr. Manzoor Nadir and a delegation visited the affected area and had discussion with those affected.