Forestry commission gets aid to help fight Covid-19

On Wednesday, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) received donations of several preventive equipment and supplies to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and to promote safe work practices in the Forestry Sector.

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). Receiving the donation, on behalf of the GFC, was Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat who expressed his appreciation for the timely and kind contribution.

The minister noted that after Guyana increased its testing capacity, the willingness of persons to be tested rose. With forest workers being still engaged in work activities, the Minister said that they remain exposed to the virus to some extent and the donation will contribute to their safety and prevent the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, Davidson maintained 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: 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.