Bonasika tragedies: Gov’t, private sector responds with multi-million-dollar donations

Two Lower Bonasika, Essequibo River families who were faced with unprecedented tragedies within the past few weeks benefitted from multi-million relief from the government and private sector on Tuesday.

Joshua Gill and his family will no longer have to live in an abandoned house after their house and everything they owned went up in flames on December 30, 2021. Gill was given over $2 million in cash and building materials from the Ministry of Housing and Water.

Gill, a farmer and father of six young children, had appealed for assistance to help rebuild after the devastating fire.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar along with Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Paul Cheong and Region Three Chairman, Sheik Ayube traveled to the community on Tuesday and met with Gill and his family. A total of $5 million in cash and supplies were distributed to the families.

While there, Minister Indar stated that he was instructed by President Dr Irfaan Ali to immediately offer support to the families.

Meanwhile, another Bonasika family, Tulsieram Sookdeo who lost his wife and young daughter after the house they lived in collapsed and pinned them to death, also received $1 million cash and building materials.

During the simple yet significant handing over ceremony at Bonasika, Cheong explained that Guyanese have a spirit of giving and the private sector immediately seized the opportunity to help.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Ayube noted that the regional administration has been supporting both families since the tragedies and will continue to do so.

In addition, another family from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, the Haroons, who lost their home to a fire will also benefit from building materials.

A quantity of cement was also delivered to the families on Tuesday.

Gill expressed his profound gratitude to the government and private sector for promptly responding to his plight.