Cash grant distribution scheduled for the Herstelling/Little Diamond area will go ahead as planned on Friday despite a fire that damaged a building at the local Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand said.
Manickchand visited the Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC this morning following the blaze, meeting with firefighters who responded to the scene, teachers from the nearby Providence Nursery School, NDC staff and a security guard who attempted to extinguish the fire before emergency responders arrived.
The fire also caused minor damage to the Providence Nursery School, prompting its temporary closure while the extent of the damage is assessed and remedial works are carried out.
Manickchand commended the Guyana Fire Service and others who responded to the incident, singling out the security guard for what she described as courage and commitment in the face of danger.
Rather than the Providence Nursery School, which had originally been planned as the distribution site, the cash grant exercise will now be conducted in the undamaged section of the Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC building, the Minister said.
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development said it is working with relevant agencies to assess the damage and restore normal operations while ensuring continued delivery of services to residents.
