CDC commissions $112M centre in Lethem

Nov 15, 2021 News

The new CDC Centre in Lethem (Photo Courtesy – DPI)

Kaieteur News – The Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) Regional Disaster Management Centre was officially commissioned on Friday in Lethem, Region Nine by the Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.
The facility which is said to have been constructed at a cost of over $112 million (inclusive of the building, fencing and landscaping, beds, etc.), also facilitates a warehouse, shelter and conference room for Region Nine.
According to a Department of Public Information release, the commissioning ceremony was witnessed by the Regional Chairman, Regional Executive Officer, Lethem’s Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Town Clerk, members of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other Regional Heads. The Regional Chairman, Bryan Allicock, provided opening remarks, lamenting on the importance of such a facility in the Region. Allicock thanked the CDC and the Government of Guyana for adding the asset to Lethem.
Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig in brief remarks said, “The Centre is the first of its kind in Guyana and can be considered as a monumental achievement for Disaster Risk Management locally. The warehouse will be used to pre-position and stockpile relief supplies. This is expected to increase the efficiency of emergency response operations in the Region by reducing the cost and time for shuttling relief supplies from Georgetown into the region.”
He said the facility will allow for items to be sourced within the region, which is anticipated to have a positive effect on the local economy. Additionally, the shelter facility will boost the region’s capacity to provide housing for residents displaced during floods and other hazard impacts. The office and training facilities will improve preparedness and be used to host meetings, training, simulation exercises and other capacity building activities, he explained.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (left) and Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig during their address in Lethem (Photo Courtesy – DPI)

Lieutenant Colonel Craig praised the Regional Office and Municipality for their continued support during this project and assured all in attendance that the facility will serve the Region, and ultimately Guyana, in the realm of Disaster Preparedness and Risk Management.
In his address, Prime Minister Phillips said the Region must take charge of “this monumental asset and utilise it in every regard.” “This centre, continuous training and injection of other resources along with an active early warning system, will enhance the regional capacity to reduce the loss of lives, damages to assets and put it a step ahead of reducing its vulnerability to hazards. The facility comes fully equipped with all the modern amenities and is ready to use,” Phillips said.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Lethem, John Macedo, delivered the vote of thanks as the ceremony came to a close. The Mayor said the Region is proud to host the first Disaster Management Centre in the nation and will ensure that opportunities are not wasted to use its many features. He expressed gratitude to the CDC, Government of Guyana, Regional Authorities and all others who aided to make the structure a reality.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister was given a tour of the building and was consistently impressed with the layout, amenities and other features. The CDC will work closely with the Regional Democratic Council and Municipal Authorities to ensure that the centre is always ready to support and manage any hazard or disaster in the Region.