Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

The Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) has donated EC$20,000.00 to the people of Guyana who suffered tremendous losses from massive flooding last December.

A short ceremony was held last Tuesday at Huggins' Main Office on Grand Etang Road in St. George's where the cheque was officially handed over for the Guyana Flood Relief Fund. General Manager of GPA, Ambrose Phillip said the fund was established because the authority was particularly impressed by the dedication, seriousness and humility shown by members of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) who came to Grenada to help in the rebuilding process in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in September.

"I thought it absolutely necessary that we make a special effort to contribute towards the flood situation in Guyana," he said. Phillip noted that in the midst of Guyana's own problems, the contingent stationed in Grenada continued to work "to ensure that essential Government and critical arms of the State were in the position to continue functioning." He felt that no one could have asked for any greater sacrifice than that shown by the Guyanese on assignment in Grenada.

According to Phillip, the fund was initiated by GPA Management while the authority was conducting a review of its emergency procedures on February 28 in Carriacou. He said the long overdue review dealt with all types of natural disasters including hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, floods and fire. He disclosed that there were 24 participants attending the review session and approximately US$900.00 were collected on that occasion. In addition, the Carriacou community also contributed close to US$1000.00 to the fund.

Phillip announced that the Grenada Taxi Association collected approximately US$4,000.00 for the fund, the largest single donation. He admitted that although the authority did not meet its $20,000 target, it decided to contribute the rest of the money in order to make up the $20, 000.00 earmarked for the Guyana Flood Relief Fund.

The Port Manager also touched on the speed in which the St. George's port was able to resume operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan on September 7. "The GPA was open and ready for business and received the first ship out of Trinidad on Thursday 9th of September," he remarked. This was remarkable, he said since every single building on the Carenage premise was damaged, like the Tourism Welcome Center, Customs Building, Post Office, Queens Warehouse, as well as the new and old Caricom Sheds and Main Transit Shed.

Honorary Consul of Guyana to Grenada, Deodatt Singh who is based on the island, described the contribution as "a wonderful gesture" by the Ports Authority. Singh thanked the Management, Board of Directors and staff of GPA for the donation. He said the money will go a far way in helping the flood victims in Guyana.

Guyana was hit by three distinct episodes of heavy rainfall last December that resulted in some coastal areas of the country receiving upwards of 100cm (40 inches) of rainfall. It left two-thirds of Guyana's capital, Georgetown flooded, affecting over 120, 000 people and leaving six people dead.