ESSEQUIBO ISLAND - As part of its ongoing maritime safety campaign, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Friday December 6, 2013 distributed a number of life-jackets to some several schools in Region Number 3, Essequibo Islands - West Demerara.
A team from MARAD visited the areas of Hogg Island, Saxacalli, Lanaballi, Aliki and Bonasika in an effort to promote safety on the waterways and specifically to ensure that the children of those areas are safe while traversing the river.
Head teacher of the Northern Hogg Island Primary School, Benedict Persaud, who received the 20 life jackets on behalf of the students of the school promised to ensure that all students wear same when traversing the waterways. He expressed his thanks to MARAD and said the gesture was a good initiative.
At the Saxacalli Primary and Nursery School, the MARAD team also distributed 20 life jackets to the students of that school. Accepting the jackets on behalf of the students, was teacher Ms Carlene Williams who said the students never wore life jackets while travelling the river and they now have an opportunity to be safely attired. She further reiterated that she will ensure that the jackets are continuously worn by the students.
Headmistress of the Lanaballi Primary and Nursery School, Ann Allicock, received 20 life jackets for her school and said this is a timely gesture by MARAD as she was worried about the lives of the children being endangered while travelling on the waterways, "I want to thank the team and MARAD, and will ensure that the children always wear their jackets while on the boats, the timing is very appropriate."
The teachers at the Aliki Primary, Nursery and Secondary School were also very appreciative of the visit by the team from MARAD as they received the 20 life jackets to be distributed to the students of the school.
Acting Headmaster of the Lower Bonasika Primary and Nursery School, Kapil Dave Ramsammy, received 20 life jackets for the students of the school. He expressed gratitude to MARAD for their kind gesture, "We will like to thank MARAD for this initiative and for considering the safety of our children while travelling by boat."
In keeping with the message of promoting safety while traversing the waterways, the Maritime Administration Department plans to further expand the life jacket distribution program to other regions in Guyana.
