Fire Service capacity boosted – Chinese Gov’t donates 10 fire tenders
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee today received the keys to 10 fire tenders, and 400 suits for fire officers from officials of the Chinese Government at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Brickdam. The vehicles and protective gear were handed over following the signing of the acceptance certificate.
Minister Rohee stated that, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is very appreciative of this kind gesture; it is another concerted manifestation of the friendly relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Guyana”.
This relationship from which Guyana is now benefitting will obviously go a very far way in enhancing the capacity of the Guyana Fire Service in many respects, Minister Rohee stated.
He also recalled that in his Budget 2013 debate presentation he had made it known that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) would be renamed he Guyana Fire and Rescue Service and would go through certain transformative periods in order to ensure that the Service becomes modernised.
This is the ambition of Fire Services around the world, he said, and the GFS must not be left behind. The GFS has come a very far way, for those who are acquainted with its history would know that from seven stations there are now 16 around the country, form one and a half fire tenders there are now 36, he stated.
The additional fire tenders will see an exponential growth in the capacity of the Fire Service to provide an effective and efficient service to the residents not only in Georgetown, but in the other regions as well, the Minister said.
Minister Rohee urged officials of the GFS to take special care of the vehicles to ensure that they are well serviced and protected and that they are used for the benefit of the people.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Mr Zhang Limin stated that he was very pleased to attend the signing, and alluded to the long and fruitful relations between China and Guyana. The two Governments have kept good relations, as well as close friendship between their peoples.