In efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and to promote safe work practices in the Forestry Sector in compliance with COVID19 guidelines, several preventive equipment and supplies were today donated to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).
Hon. Vickram Bharrat giving brief remarks at the ceremony
The donation was made by the British High Commissioner (Ag) to Guyana, HE Ray Davidson on behalf of UK-Aid and the Forest and Land Governance Technical Assistance Project (EFITAP). The Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Vickram Bharrat, M.P., received the donation on behalf of the GFC and expressed his appreciation for the timely and kind contribution.
The Minister noted that as Guyana is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a continued rise, mostly attributed to the increased testing capacity and the willingness of persons to be tested. Minister Bharrat said that as the Forest workers are still engaged in work activities, they remain exposed to some extent and the donation will immensely contribute to their safety and prevent the spread of the virus.
Hon. Vickram Bharrat receiving the contribution from H.E Ray Davidson
Maintaining the United Kingdom’s commitment to Guyana was His Excellency Ray Davidson, who declared that the UK remains committed to supporting Guyana’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement’s implementation and this donation forms part of such support. He expressed his pleasure in being able to allow the GFC to continue its extraordinary work and encourages the full use of the items donated.
As part of the EFITAP project, a total of £20,864 (approx. G$ 4.3 million) was contributed towards purchasing items to support the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic. To date a number of supplies were purchased which includes:
Some of the items received.
– 2 laptop computers, as well as connectivity devices for field stations (headphones and web cameras),
– masks, hand sanitizers, infrared thermometers, a mist blower machine to sanitize the offices and
– COVID-19 awareness material (posters, doorknob hangers and stickers).
Additionally, once purchases are completed, the items will total 1300 masks (reusable), 4 laptops, 25 headsets and webcams, 1300 hand sanitizers in various sizes, 30 wall mounted dispensers, 30 infrared thermometers, 1900 information pieces which includes door hangers, posters and stickers and two mist blowers for sanitizing the offices.
The Natural Resources Minister again expresses his appreciation to EFITAP and UK-Aid for the donation on behalf of staff and management of the GFC and encourage close partnership between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the agencies.