Parika Market fire Tempers flare as uninsured vendors contemplate next steps

Vendors who once plied their trade at the Parika Marketing Centre before Friday’s inferno destroyed their livelihoods are still counting losses and contemplating their next move, as some demand intervention to recommence operation.

The mid-afternoon fire destroyed the entire market complex, and there was little time to salvage any of their goods. Thus far, a preliminary investigation from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) revealed that construction workers who were in the process of rebuilding the market were conducting welding when spark came into contact with nearby combustible materials.

When Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar visited the area on Saturday to speak with affected businesspersons, tempers flared and the seemingly dissatisfied persons were heard shouting. Amid demands for compensation from Government, Indar explained that due process must be followed.

“This is a process. It is a scene. We have to pinpoint what exactly is the reason. Some of you are saying the fire started there. It could very well start there,” he communicated. While some vendors were calling for the debris to be removed so that they can ply their trade, others argued that they did not have funds to turnover their businesses. They were told that the rubble would be cleared immediately.

For businessman Imran Salim, he cannot restart operations since he has outstanding obligations to the banks and suppliers. He is among several persons calling for compensation and other assistance.

“We lost millions and all we’re hearing is that they will clean up the place. How will we start back our livelihoods? ‘Cause we lose everything. We owe the banks and we owe other people,” he shared.

Meanwhile, another vendor Robin Salim told this publication that he sold clothes and jewellery.

A devastated Robin noted, “The people here need help. This is all we have. They said they will clean up the place. Because it is a market, insurance companies don’t insure us. So, everything lost. So, for me, everything burn up.”

This publication under- stands that over 160 vendors were operating at the market, some of whom owned multiple stalls within the facility.

Initial reports are that at about 15:14h, the Fire Department was alerted to the fire, and five water tenders, one water bowser, and two support vehicles from the Leonora, La Grange, Eccles, Campbellville, Central, and West Ruimveldt Fire Stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

The first water tender arrived on scene at 15:36 pm. Upon exhausting their water supply, the Essequibo River was utilised as an open source to contain the blaze. However, everything was already destroyed. (G12)

When he was nine years old, Nicholas Goddett got up to sing in front of a crowd of people for the first time. Overcoming a mixture of nervous moments and grief, the young man ensured his voice could be heard by all in the crowd.

It is an occasion he has never forgotten. His father had passed away, and it was at his father’s funeral that the public witnessed his singing ability. Today, at 16 years old, he has managed to nurture his singing talent, and while he is in his teenage years, Goddett plans to ensure his God-given ability to woo audiences with his crisp voice fully materialises.

His songs are in the reggae genre, and are primarily worship songs. At the moment, he has been hitting the studio to record his songs.

His captivating voice is the talk of the Essequibo Coast, especially the village of Lima, where he sisters.

Desire to sing year, a video clip surfaced on Facebook of Goddett in studio, and many have commented positive reviews of the young singer. He said the feedback has been astonishing. you down.” lives.

He said that, while growing up, he discovered that he has a deep desire to sing, and he noted that prior to singing in church, he would sing to himself a lot. He said he was very shy at the time.

“I was always singing to myself, (but) ashamed to sing in front of people,” he added.

In addition to singing, he is also a songwriter, and can also master the keyboard.

“I am a worshipper, and I come from a family of singers and musicians,” Goddett told <<Guyana Times>> recently.

The young man has said he comes from a Christian family, and he notes that he has five brothers and three

As time passed, the young man gradually begun to sing in the church he attends, and he noted that with encouragement of friends, he started singing frequently. He would sing at concerts, cultural shows at the church, and at other events along the coast.

What may have enabled him to explore his talent was the formation of a band by his friends. Earlier this

Goddett said he started recording in studio last January, when he and his friend Boaz Roberts recorded a song together. Roberts also sings, and, Goddett noted, his friends have been very supportive of him developing a career in singing. He said his new album is being compiled at the moment, and he noted that he has two singles which he plans to release as a precursor to the album.

According to the young singer, one of the favourite songs he has recorded is titled “Never let me down.”

He explained why it is his favourite.“Though things may seem hard sometimes, as long as you call on the Name of Jesus, He always answers your prayers and He sees you out of every hard time or whatever it might be. God will never let

Goddett has said he wishes to further explore his talent this year, and he noted that while he continues to develop his ability to sing, he never forgets that it is the Almighty who has blessed him with a powerful and unique voice.

Though marijuana, or cannabis, is commonly known as a recreational drug, it has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. Today, cannabis is not legal in Guyana, and only a handful of countries are allowed to use cannabis.

The mind-altering ingredient in cannabis is THC, short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The amount of THC in cannabis varies, and has been