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A fire that broke out early Wednesday morning in the Lamaha Squatting Area of ‘B’ Field Sophia has left 12 people homeless after destroying two houses.

The Guyana Fire Service said it received an emergency call at 2:58 hrs and dispatched firefighting units to the scene by 3:05 hrs. Responding units included Water Tenders #95, #105, and #118, along with Water Carrier #18, totaling 6,813 liters of water and a team of 18 firefighters.

The blaze originated in a single-storey wooden structure, which was completely engulfed and destroyed, displacing three residents. Fire officials suspect the fire may have been set maliciously, and investigations are currently underway.

In addition to the initial fire, the intense heat radiating from the blaze led to the destruction of two nearby buildings, leaving an additional nine individuals without shelter. The fire also resulted in the loss of approximately 60 undocumented motorcycles.

Firefighters worked diligently to control the flames, utilizing jets from Water Tenders #105 and #118, as well as drawing water from an open source with LP#A7.

Fire Prevention officials are actively investigating the cause of the fire, and they are urging anyone with information to come forward.

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Jermaine Haynes, a 32-year-old construction worker from Little Diamond Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara was shot in the leg by police responding to a domestic violence report from his wife.

When officers arrived, they confronted Haynes, who became aggressive and disarmed one officer. In response, another officer fired two shots, hitting Haynes in the lower right leg.

Haynes was arrested and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre for medical treatment, where he is under police guard. An investigation is ongoing.

See the full police report below:

An alleged Domestic Violence Offender, Jermaine Haynes, a 32-year-old construction worker from Little Diamond Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, is now hospitalised after he was shot by Police ranks who were responding to a report of assault by the man’s 33-year-old wife, of the said address.

Relative to the report, which was forwarded to Regional Division 4’B’ Operations Room, two Police constables armed with 9mm pistols were dispatched to the area.

Upon arrival in the area, contact was made with the 33-year-old woman who was at the time seeking refuge from her husband at a neighbour’s residence. She related to the ranks that the suspect dealt her a slap, broke a table in the house, and threatened to kill her, which caused her to run out of the house.

The two ranks subsequently went over to the victim’s residence, where the enraged suspect (Jermaine Haynes) exited the house and attacked the ranks. A scuffle ensued, and the suspect, in the process, held on to the firearm of one of the ranks and managed to disarm him. On seeing this, the other rank drew his service pistol and discharged two rounds at the suspect, hitting him on the lower right leg.

The suspect was subdued, arrested, and escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he received medical attention under police guard.

Further investigation is in progress.

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See below the full statement issued: 

The Ministry of Public Works would like to advise the general public to take all necessary precautions during the spring tides period from September 15, 2024 to September 22, 2024. Due to the above normal predicted tidal levels that will be experienced, particular coastal and riverain communities will be susceptible to water intrusion and flooding from overtopping of sea and river defence structures. Moderate levels of overtopping may be experienced along vulnerable sections of public roads in close proximity to major riverbanks and open shorelines, as well as at sluice structures and outfall channels.

All persons residing along the banks of major rivers and low-lying coastal areas are advised to take necessary precautions against possible flooding. Precautions should also be taken by all mariners, including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels. The use of beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes during this period is not advised.

The highest tides are expected on the following dates with the indicated predicted water levels:

• Wednesday September 18, 2024 at 3:54am at a height of31 metres CD, and at 4:10pm at a height of 3.32 metres CD
• Thursday September 19, 2024 at 4:40am at a height of31 metres CD, and at 4:48pm at a height of 3.36 metres CD
• Friday September 20, 2024 at 5:27am at a height of23 metres CD, and at 5:24pm at a height of 3.30 metres CD

The Ministry of Public Works has intensified its monitoring and flood prevention activities in preparation for possible occurrences of flooding due to overtopping or structural compromise of sea and river defences. Contact can be me made with the Sea and River Defence Department on the following telephone numbers to report concerns related to flood hazards that require an emergency response.

Contact Telephone nos. 225-9868, 226-1070, 227-8294, 654-4226, 654-4227, 623-1161, 646-3501, 618-5541, 687-1999, 627-5453, 680-0073

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At his weekly press conference on Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo provided an in-depth update on the ongoing digitization efforts in Guyana, highlighting significant advancements across various sectors.

From streamlining airport processes to enhancing healthcare systems, Jagdeo reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the nation through innovative technology.

Dr. Jagdeo began by reflecting on the extensive work accomplished since the administration’s inception.

“If you examine every sector of the economy during our time in office, the progress we’ve made is remarkable,” he stated.

He expressed concern over the media’s lack of coverage on these transformative initiatives, which he believes are crucial for improving the lives of Guyanese.

One of the projects currently being advanced is the implementation of a paperless system at Guyana’s airports. The Vice President announced that by year-end, travelers will experience a fully automated border management system.

This upgrade will allow for pre-screening of passengers and the use of automated gates, where travelers can simply swipe their identification documents for expedited entry.

The rollout of new biometric ID cards is also progressing as well. These cards will be mandatory for all citizens and residents, featuring state-of-the-art security features to prevent identity theft.

Jagdeo emphasized that the IDs will enhance access to essential services and financial products, significantly benefiting those in remote regions.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (DPI Photo)

The Safe Guyana project is gaining momentum with the deployment of smart cameras in key regions, aimed at improving public safety.

These cameras will utilize predictive analytics to identify potential crime hotspots, allowing law enforcement to deploy resources more effectively.

The automation of the Ministry of Home Affairs is underway, with a focus on linking databases related to vital records and criminal information.

This integration will streamline operations and enhance security, although strict privacy protections will be enforced to safeguard personal data.

Progress is also being made in the healthcare sector with the implementation of an electronic patient record system.

This initiative will ensure that healthcare providers have immediate access to a patient’s complete medical history, improving the quality of care across both public and private facilities.

Looking ahead, Dr. Jagdeo discussed plans to incorporate blockchain technology into land and mining record management to combat issues of record tampering.

“Blockchain will ensure that our records are secure and unalterable,” he noted, highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Dr. Jagdeo reaffirmed the government’s dedication to driving digital transformation in Guyana. He urged both citizens and the media to recognize the significance of these advancements, which, while not always visible, are pivotal in shaping a modern, secure, and prosperous society.

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