Williams Industries donates over $300 000 to D’ca relief effort

WILLIAMS Industries Group is making a substantial donation of over BDS $300 000 to the relief effort in Dominica.

Yesterday, the company revealed that BDS $112 000 in building and construction supplies from H&B Hardware will be shipped to Dominica.

In addition, the company has also bought BDS $80 000 in food supplies from local wholesalers, to be taken to Dominica’s government for distribution.

More food items will be bought.

Calvin Alkins Customs Services (CACS) will be handling the responsibility of shipping the items from Williams Industries, to Dominica, free of cost.

Yesterday, Chairman and Founder of Williams Industries Inc., Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams, told the media that while it is not known when Barbados might get the same treatment from a hurricane, countries in the Caribbean “really need to stick together and do things for ourselves rather than relying on outsiders to come and help us”.

Williams revealed that the company is also collecting items from the public to be shipped to Dominica, at Warehouse #19 Gas Alley, Cane Garden, St Thomas.

“People from across Barbados have already been bringing stuff to the warehouse and we thank them sincerely for doing that. I don’t know what the values of those goods are, but they are continuing to come and we will ship them when they come. There are people that can’t afford a lot because work is not plentiful in Barbados now, but they are always willing to help,” Williams said.

“Shipments have already gone to the Port. We have spent about BDS$80 000 [on food supplies] yesterday, and we are going to spend a lot more going forward. I hope it gets to Dominica and that it is properly distributed. We are making arrangements to ensure that that [effective distribution] will happen,” the Chairman added.

Senior Manager of the Lumber Division of H&B Hardware, Ingrid Carter, who was also involved in the company’s hurricane relief effort for Montserrat, said she was feeling passionate and thankful to be involved with an organisation that sees it necessary to assist storm-ravaged countries.

“In relation to the building supplies, we are sending down a significant amount of ply wood, lumber, nails, generators, wheelbarrows and sheeting . . .,” Carter said.

Director of Williams Industries and H&B Hardware, Mark Roach, indicated that when he contacted Williams about assisting Dominica, the Chairman immediately agreed that it should be a substantial donation, since that nation and other islands have been good markets in the past.

Williams also revealed that his private aeroplane left the island yesterday, to survey damages in St Maarten to see how his company can render assistance to that island which like many others, was battered by category 5 hurricane Irma.

“I am happy to make the effort to do it. But I have to emphasize that I cannot do anything without the help of the 800 odd people that work at Williams Industries,” Williams said. (AH)