The new $41 million fire station at Anna Regina in Region Two which has 28 ranks assigned to it was officially declared open by Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj yesterday.

The project which commenced in December 2002 was completed in August this year.

The contractor was Faldhari Singh while Doodnauth Samaroo constructed the revetment and concrete bridge leading to the station.

Fire service official Carlyle Washington delivered opening remarks at the simple ceremony during which prayers were said by representatives of the Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths.

Mayor of Anna Regina, Sammy Rampersaud and Regional Chairman, Ali Baksh delivered brief remarks in which they thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the government for the project.

In his feature address the Minister of Home Affairs noted that the fire station is providing employment for a number of young men in Essequibo as some 85% of the ranks were drawn from that region.

Gajraj said that government chose to centrally locate the fire station at Anna Regina so that it can serve the length and breadth of the Essequibo coast.

And he advised the gathering that the focus must be on the prevention of fires, urging them to do so by not taking chances, not leaving children alone at home, not leaving matches within reach of children and not overloading electrical points.

He pointed out that citizens have an integral role to play in the prevention of fires and encouraged the upkeep of the communal spirit of cooperation and goodwill in maintaining bucket brigades.

Earlier in the day Gajraj and team visited the Richard Faikal Police Training College at Suddie and later inspected rehabilitation works and a guard of honour at the Police Headquarters at Anna Regina. (Yusuf Khan)