Government leaves Mallali To foot transportation bill For flood hampers

MALLALI TOSHAO ORLAYNE ROBERT WILLIAMS IS FURIOUS that his cash-
strapped community was forced to foot the transportation costs for food hampers from the
government.
“I thought that we were going to be refunded the monies spent, and that is why I had no issues in
spending monies to get there as I thought that it would be refunded. I was very disappointed to
learn when I get there that the financial burden had to be borne by us,” Williams explained about
the $60,000 disbursed to transport government-provided food hampers for flood-hit residents of
the Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten) community.
“What was even more disappointing is that I was told that we were going to uplift 30 hampers,
but when I got there, I was informed that I would receive an additional 20. It meant that instead
of the one boat that I hired went with to pick up the hampers, I needed another boat. It's a good
thing that I had walked with extra money so that I could get another boat. If I didn't have the
extra money, I don't know how I would have returned because I was expecting to be refunded the
money spent in getting there," he recalled in an interview with www.aroundtheregions.com
Willams remembered receiving a telephone call to travel to Watooka Guest House in the mining
town of Linden, to uplift some hampers last Sunday. He was relieved the Region Ten community
was a beneficiary and was happy to utilise $60,000 from their limited resources believing in the
government’s largesse.
He said other Toshaos also believed likewise.
All were wrong!

"Going to uplift the hampers was a challenge but I believed that instead of us having to spend
monies to get there it might have been better for government to bring the hammers directly to the
residents. If they couldn't bring it, at least we should have been refunded our monies. Mallali is a
very small community and spending that amount at this time is very difficult," Williams said.
He was also disappointed that Amerindian Affairs Minister, Ms. Pauline Sukhai and Public
Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, who spearheaded the hamper distribution exercise, were
unavailable to listen to the community’s concerns.
"These ministers are running all over going to certain communities, while forgetting about us.
Are we not part of Region Ten or more so Guyana? This isn't fair and we are very disappointed
by their actions. I am not saying that they shouldn't visit the areas that they are, but they need to
be fair as you can't choose to go to some and not visit the others. What kind of leadership is
that?" he asked.
No Government or Regional official has visited Mallali to witness or evaluate the devastation
created by the floods and the coping mechanisms employed by the hapless community, Williams
complained.
The two-term Toshao suggested the least the Irfaan Ally administration could have done was
foot the bill for gasoline because the Amerindian communities heavily are heavily burdened by
the effects of the ongoing global pandemic and their endemic economic hardships.
“I will be frank and say that during the election period you saw these very officials, numerous
times as they were determined to get our votes, but now when we are in a crisis, it’s as though
they have no care and understanding for what we are going through,” the outspoken Toshao said
highlighting flagrant double standards by the two government representatives.
They can’t hide behind “busy schedules” Williams pointed out noting that during the 2020
elections campaign they also survived hectic timetable.
“We are aware that they are indeed very busy but at least they can’t say that they can’t come and
show their faces as when they were campaigning, we got significant attention but now it’s as

though you got to beg them. Our entire playfield is under water! The whole Mission is under
water! So can’t they come and see how we are coping? Can’t they come to say something to the
affected families?”
“In Mallali every family has been affected. At least some minister or Government official
can come to appreciate what we are going through,” Toshao Williams advised.