12 NEWS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Region 9 administration provides support to affected families following earthquake
T
he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to monitor the impact of the 5.7 magnitude earthquake which struck several parts of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Sunday. The CDC stated that based on the assessments conducted across the regions, the Regional Disaster Response System was activated. Assessments were done in the Katoonarib and
Sawariwau villages located in the Deep South, Rupununi areas. Those assessments revealed damages to two (2) homes and a few earth surface cracks. While the team was on the ground, loud rumbling sounds were heard about three times from different directions around the communities. There are no reports of loss of human lives. However, residents related that years ago a similar
sound was heard, and it felt like “movement” of the earth. Nevertheless, Regional Executive Officer Karl Singh has informed the CDC that the region will assist in the rehabilitation of the homes that were damaged by the natural disaster. Construction materials were being transported to the affected communities on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Civil Defence Commission would be
partnering with the Natural Resources Ministry to conduct further analysis, observation, and assessments to gain a comprehensive perspective of the region’s susceptibility to seismic hazard. The Commission is also in discussion with the Seismic Research Centre of the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide technical support if the need arises.
The result of these assessments could determine future actions which can include are but not limited to conducting earthquake preparedness and response planning and train-
ing, evacuation drills and exploring the possibility of developing earthquake-resilient infrastructure codes for that region and by extension Guyana.
Guyana recorded increased non-traditional exports in 2020
G
uyana has recorded a 9 per cent increase in the export of non-traditional agricultural commodities from January to December 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019. The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) in a statement to the press highlighted that this increase was achieved in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, a total of 9907 metric tonnes of non-traditional agricultural commodities valued at $2.5 billion or US$12 million were exported from Guyana. This increase is due to a 20 per cent (8217 metric tonnes) and 44 per cent (419 metric tonnes) increase in the export of dried coconuts and coconut water respectively. Further, in 2020, Guyana also recorded a 110 per cent (2194 metric tonnes) increase in regional exports of non-traditional agricultural commodities. The major regional export destinations in 2020 were Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Antigua. Of the total non-traditional agricultural exports, 99 per cent (9805 metric tonnes) was shipped via sea, representing a 14 per cent increase when compared to the year 2019. Meanwhile, 1 per cent (102
metric tonnes) of non-traditional agricultural commodities were exported via air in 2020. The 102 metric tonnes represents an 82 per cent decline in exports via air. This decline is mainly as a result of the temporary cessation of flights by Caribbean Airlines in 2020 due to the closure of the international airports, a measure put in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, there were declines in the exports of mangoes, bora, boulanger, pineapple, eddo, and peppers in 2020 when compared to the year 2019. Most of these commodities are exported mainly to Canada and the USA. Moreover, the country saw an increase in the export of commodities such as coconut water, pepper sauce, achar, sauces, cassava cassareep, and preserved fruits when compared to the year 2019. The Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) said it will continue to work aggressively to ensure this trend is maintained in 2021 and the years ahead. Further, the entity said GMC’s officers will continue to create linkages between buyers and sellers of non-agricultural commodities. The ongoing facilitation of the use of the corporation’s packaging facilities will also continue, GMC noted.
