Latest update January 11th, 2025 4:10 AM
Latest News
- Govt, US-Exim Bank sign US$527 million for GTE project
- Rystad Energy issues misleading analysis on Guyana’s share from ExxonMobil contract
- Deaths from Israeli attacks in Gaza undercounted by 41 percent, study finds
- PNC calls for doubling of minimum wage, tax free threshold to be increased to $400,000 monthly
- Pensioner dies at CJIA while waiting to board flight to New York
New fire stations, more hydrants and increased training of fire-fighters in 2024
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Ashni Singh
…as Govt. allocates $572.8M in budget for Fire Service
Kaieteur News – With a $572.8 million allocation to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in the 2024 budget, the government intends to construct four new fire stations at Charity, Parika, Soesdyke and Wisburg.
In addition to the new fire stations, the Diamond Fire Station will be completed while there will be extensions and the rehabilitation of fire stations in Linden, Rose Hall and Timehri.
This was announced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday during the presentation of the 2024 budget themed, ‘Staying the course: Building Prosperity for All’.
“Our Government has always been committed to building the capacity of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) to discharge their important mandate. More recent times have, however, reiterated how important it is for GFS to be in a state of constant readiness to respond to any threat of loss of property or endangerment of person,” Dr. Singh told the National Assembly.
The minister said that Government intends to significantly upgrade the transport and equipment fleet of the GFS.
In 2023, $3.3 billion was expended for the acquisition of additional fire fighting equipment, including 16 water bowsers, eight water tenders, one telescopic boom fire fighting vehicle and six ambulances.
The Minister said too that the 40 light fire fighting vehicles procured, which will be stationed across the country, to enhance the GFSs responsive capabilities, are to be delivered in 2024.
Some $500million was allocated in this year’s budget to further boost the equipment fleet.
Last year, 54 fire hydrants were serviced, while another 144 fire hydrants were installed. Additionally, 150 fire hydrants are earmarked to be serviced this year, while another 52 are expected to be installed. Some $60.7 million has been budgeted for this.
Meanwhile, $30 million is allocated for the training of fire officers to build human resource capacity in the GFS.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Dem signs need calibrating
Dem Boys Seh… Kaieteur News- Dem boys bin pass one of dem fancy speed meter signs wah de guvament put up fuh tell drivers... more
Forget Begging Rich Nations: Caribbean Countries Should Act to Save Themselves
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- It has long been evident that the world’s richest nations, especially those responsible... more
Weekend Cartoon
