For more than a week, no private plane has served the isolated communities of Guyana. Last week, the Caire group went bankrupt even though this company was serving several urban areas by air via Air Guyane. Nearly 30,000 residents are now without means of transport to leave their municipality, except in cases of emergency.
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With our correspondent in Cayenne, Emma Chevailier
In this overseas region, some cities are only accessible by air or river. The liquidation of Air Guyane a few days ago has already palpable consequences: absent teachers, increased prices or the obligation to sail for several days in a canoe. Consequently, the State and the local authority of Guyana have set up an emergency public service delegation.
Philippe Dekon lives in the town of Maripasoula. He is president of the Apachi collective for the opening up of Guyana. “ This is a catastrophic situation. Beyond that, it is a kind of abandonment of the population of this commune which, I remind you, is the largest commune in France. We cannot project ourselves. We definitely cannot project ourselves “, he laments.
The prefecture and the local authority of Guyana ensure they come to the aid of residents by using certain private and national planes. “ There are circumstances which are obvious: medical evacuations, medical transports – less urgent but which are necessary – these can be technical interventions by operators on important infrastructures – electrical or telecommunications », Indicates Antoine Poussier, prefect of Guyana.
Build new roads
This situation revives the mobilization for the construction of certain roads in the region. “ We are putting in place the inconsistencies of Guyana. With what they already have in France, it’s clear that they no longer need roads but we have a real difficulty getting around here », assures Chester Léonce, transport delegate to the local authority of Guyana.
General meetings on opening up should be held at the end of the month in Guyana.