With over 15 drug bonds across Guyana, no need for “in case of fire” facility
– Nagamootoo’s defence pitiful – Dr. Anthony
Aug 30, 2016 , http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....se-of-fire-facility/
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo continues to receive criticism for the reasons he offered when trying to justify the “need” for the controversial bond his government continues to rent at a steep price of $12.5M per month.
Recently, Nagamootoo told Kaieteur News that the possibility of a fire and the issue of traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara were two of the many reasons considered for embracing the contract. He said that in the case of a fire at Government’s main bond located at Diamond, the bond at Sussex Street will serve as an adequate back-up.
This argument for the ‘bottom-house’ facility has not been accepted by the public.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran rejected the excuse and posited that if that is the new policy, government may soon set up alternative offices across Guyana.
People’s Progressive Party/ Civic point man on Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has also rejected that excuse calling it frivolous and an insult to the nation.
Dr. Anthony told Kaieteur News that there are already a number of other bonds across Guyana.
“There are bonds in every Region,” said Dr. Anthony.
The Member of Parliament said that in Georgetown, there are several bonds other than the main one at Diamond, including one at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Like most other bonds across the country, Dr. Anthony said that GPHC’s bond can store three months of medical supplies comfortably. He noted that Region Two has no less than two bonds, one at Suddie Hospital and the other at Charity.
Region Three, according to Dr. Anthony, has at least one bond which is housed at the West Demerara Hospital.
The Member of Parliament noted that Region 10 has at least two bonds, one at Lethem and the other at Linden. While, Region Six has about three bonds, at New Amsterdam, Port Mourant and Skeldon.
He further noted that Region Five has another two bonds, at Mahaicony and Fort Wellington.
Dr. Anthony stressed the fact that in the case of a fire, each of those bonds will have three months’ storage of drugs and medical supplies. He said that “excuses such as those offered by Nagamootoo cannot justify this spending spree they went on.”
The former Minister is maintaining that the only satisfaction they can offer to this nation is the resignation of Dr. George Norton. He also thinks that the contract should be rescinded.
