Dear Editor,

Permit me space to share my view as it relates to the apparent upsurge in fires within Georgetown.

As if it’s a storyline: “Fire started, tenders arrived with equipment at hand. Holes in hoses were very evident, lack of water and no other source to turn to.” One would have expected that weeks after a major fire in one of the busiest business areas, there would have been some improvement as it relates to the equipage of the Guyana Fire Service.

But rather, it was Déjà Vu all over again.

A look around Georgetown would reveal maximum congestion and that buildings continue to be constructed in very close proximity to each other. It is time that building and electrical codes be rigidly enforced.

Those who operate outside of the set guidelines should be dealt with without fear or favour. In addition, fire hydrants should be resuscitated and our canals desilted which can be used as water reservoirs for fire fighting purposes. These measures are by no means finite and urgent collaborative efforts are needed.

So, even as the blame game continues, it is my fervent wish that the stakeholders get together and address this issue. In addition, and in the context of our economy, we will have to allocate our scarce resources to achieve the optimum benefit.

Yours faithfully,
Eslyn Harris