A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has called for an independent investigation into the damage caused by the June 24 storm that battered the Essequibo Coast, arguing that while the government’s emergency response was warranted, the destruction has exposed troubling questions about damage assessments, relief distribution and the quality of recently constructed public infrastructure.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, June 26, the opposition- which has 12 parliamentary seats- said the severe wind and rain event left a trail of destruction across several communities in Region Two, ripping roofs from homes, damaging schools and public buildings, and leaving many residents scrambling to protect their property and livelihoods.
APNU acknowledged that the government’s immediate mobilisation of emergency assistance was appropriate but said the focus must now shift to accountability and transparency.
“The Government’s mobilization of emergency relief was, therefore, both necessary and appropriate. However, once the immediate emergency response begins, equal attention must be given to ensuring that damage assessments are accurate, public resources are managed responsibly, and legitimate questions surrounding the condition of affected public infrastructure are answered with transparency.”
The coalition said concerns intensified after its representatives visited affected communities and consulted former Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikaran, who previously served Regions Two, Three and Ten.
According to APNU, reports from residents suggest that some preliminary assessments of damage to private property do not accurately reflect conditions on the ground, while families whose homes suffered extensive damage have received little assistance beyond tarpaulins.
“Relief efforts must be guided by verified assessments, transparency and the immediate needs of affected residents,” the party said.
APNU stressed that its concerns extend beyond the storm itself to how public resources are being managed in its aftermath.
“The issue is not whether a storm occurred; it certainly did. The issue is whether the response, the reporting of damage, and the management of relief and repairs are being conducted with honesty, competence and proper oversight.”
The partnership warned that inaccurate or exaggerated damage reports could undermine public confidence and divert assistance away from those who need it most.
“If damage assessments are inaccurate or inflated, public resources may be misdirected while families genuinely in need are left waiting for meaningful assistance. Every assessment should therefore be evidence-based, properly documented and subject to public scrutiny to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are spent where they are genuinely needed.”
Beyond the damage to private homes, APNU raised alarm over the condition of the Anna Regina Stadium and the Anna Regina Police Station, saying the destruction has cast fresh doubt on the quality of public infrastructure projects.
The coalition pointed to concerns raised by Jaikaran over the planning, supervision and execution of the stadium project, while also questioning reports that contractors were being mobilized to undertake repairs before the project had reportedly been formally completed or handed over.
“These are matters that require immediate clarification by the relevant authorities and must be addressed in accordance with the Procurement Act and the contractual obligations governing the project.”
APNU argued that a newly constructed public facility should not sustain significant structural damage from a single severe weather event without triggering an independent technical review.
“A newly constructed public facility should not suffer significant structural damage from a single severe weather event without legitimate questions being asked about its design, supervision, workmanship and the quality of materials used.”
The party is urging the government to commission independent structural and engineering assessments of the Anna Regina Stadium, the Anna Regina Fire Station and any other affected public buildings before repairs, commissioning or reopening proceed.
According to APNU, such assessments should determine the cause of the failures, identify any construction defects and establish whether taxpayers received value for the substantial public investment made in the projects.
The opposition also called for a broader review of Guyana’s emergency preparedness framework, saying the storm should serve as an opportunity to strengthen disaster management systems and remove politics from emergency response.
“This occurrence is also an opportunity to review all emergency preparedness procedures against the best international practices. As rare as they may be, any future occurrence should receive a thorough and professional response that is anti-political.”
APNU has called on the relevant ministries, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and the Auditor General to undertake comprehensive investigations into both the handling of the disaster and the quality of the affected public works.
“The findings should be made public, and where deficiencies are identified, those responsible must be held accountable. Good governance demands nothing less, and taxpayers deserve nothing less than full value for every dollar spent on public infrastructure.”
The June 24 storm swept across the Essequibo Coast- Region Two- with powerful winds and heavy rainfall, damaging hundreds of homes and several government buildings. Government agencies have since been distributing emergency relief supplies and conducting damage assessments as recovery efforts continue. APNU’s intervention adds political pressure for those assessments—and the integrity of publicly funded infrastructure—to be subjected to independent scrutiny.
