Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article published in the Stabroek News edition on Friday, February 8, 2019, under the headline, “Road Expansion works causes Blygezeight flooding.” The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would like to thank you for the highlights in your article however our consultant along with the contractor and a team from the Ministry visited the affected community and also the area highlighted in the article to determine the causes of the flooding in the area.
The contractor, Sinohydro Corporation Ltd is presently executing preparatory works for the construction of a roundabout at the junction of Railway Embankment and Sheriff Street, which is part of the existing contract for the Sheriff Mandela Road Expansion Project. This aspect of the project entails placing drainage pipes in the existing canals to allow for effective drainage of the surrounding areas, as the works were being undertaken. The drainage works resulted in water backing up in the drainage system and was further compounded by the high rain intensity during the mentioned period.
The Ministry has instructed the contractor through the consultant, Egis International in association with SRKN’gineering, to ensure that pumps are always placed at strategic locations to aid in draining the area. This was another immediate action. This operation was put in place and the water within the surrounding areas have receded. The consultant and the Ministry’s Environmental and National Task Force Commission team will continue to monitor this situation to ensure that there is no such re-occurrence.
The Ministry is taking necessary steps to ensure that all specifications and conditions in the contract are adhered to by the contractor.
The Ministry apologies for any inconvenience or discomfort this has caused the residents. We would like to express our thanks to the residents for their support during our site visit and we look forward to your continuous support throughout this project.
We wish to indicate to Stabroek News and any public stakeholder, that for public enquiries or emergencies, please contact our Construction Hotline (623-1430) and/ or Email: sheriffmandela@gmail.com
Yours Faithfully,
Ms. Krest Cummings
Senior Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Puruni Road
Thursday, February 7, 2019 - The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to advise the miners, passengers and residents of Puruni and neighboring communities that a contract has been signed for the rehabilitation and construction of the Itabali to Puruni Road and actual works shall commence within the upcoming weeks. While the responsibility for this road falls specifically under the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has recognized the urgency of repair and assures that all efforts are being made by the Ministry to advance the efforts of the GGMC to have this road rehabilitated. The Ministry therefore takes this opportunity to reiterate its commitment in lending its assistance to working with the GGMC in having this route addressed as a matter of priority. The Ministry further expresses its apologies for the constant delays and the difficulties experienced by the communities.
The Ministry reiterates its commitment to the mining community and residents that it will continue to work with the GGMC to resolve the situation and to provide updates as the work progress.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 – The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article published in the Stabroek News on Thursday, January 29, 2019, under the headline “Ann’s Grove residents call for needed drainage works.” Due to this report, the Ministry’s National Task Force Commission (NTFC) technical team conducted two site visits, one on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, to the Grove/ Haslington Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) and another on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, to the Community Development Council (CDC).
At the latter site visit the CDC’s Chair, Ms. Tracy James, and residents from the proposed affected communities highlighted in the Stabroek article were present. On this site visit the Ministry’s National Task Force Commission technical team observed that the Ann’s Grove east sideline areas were cleaned. It was reported by Ms. James that the front land drains were cleaned by the CDC under a contract with the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA) while the backland was cleaned by community farmers.
The Ministry would also like to inform the residents of Ann’s Grove that an NDIA excavator is currently excavating drains in the backland and it will subsequently reach the front lands to conclude works.
Like any rehabilitation works the NDIA had encountered challenges along the way. One such challenge was the encroachment of drainage shoulders to be cleaned both mechanically and manually. For example, the NDC cross drainage south of the old Mahaica canal. Despite the challenges, the drain has been cleaned manually.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is pleased to notify the residents of Ann’s Grove that drainage and other infrastructural works are ongoing in this area and other alike. The Ministry’s aim is to assist farmers and residence to enjoy a clean and productive environment.
It is our Ministry’s wish that you would be kind enough to publish the above article so a balanced picture can be portrayed.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article appearing in the Stabroek News of Sunday, February 3, 2019, under the headline “Audit Office still awaiting a response from Infrastructure Ministry on D’Urban Park’s spending”.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was very surprised by the contents of the article for a number of reasons as shown below:-
It is with deep regret that the Audit Office did not consult with the Permanent Secretary and other relevant personnel within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
It should be noted that the Audit Office of Guyana had signed for and collected eighty-three (83) vouchers relating to Durban Park Project in January and February 2017 but to date none has been returned.
The above-mentioned documents appear to be the main source of information in the conduct of the audit and the eventual submission of the report more than two years after the documents were initially collected. This indicated that the audit took almost two (2) years to complete, but the Ministry was never meaningfully engaged to offer explanations.
The responsibility for expenditure under the purview of Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI), as well as funds paid through the “Lotto Fund” was ascribed to the Ministry. Due diligence checks would have clearly outlined the distinction between the two entities and the responsible agency for the Lotto Fund payments. The Ministry had NO responsibility for expenditure relating to Durban Park Project prior to April 9, 2016.
It was on April 9, 2016, that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was given the directive to complete the project after it was observed that the works were behind schedule. Please be advised that the Ministry was not responsible for ANY expenditure prior to that date, which originated from the Lotto Fund and Homestretch Development Inc.
Notwithstanding, the Ministry delivered ALL vouchers requested by the Audit Office with relevant schedules for scrutiny. However, if it is required, the Ministry could provide additional information upon request.
Yours faithfully,
Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
5 February 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 – It has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure that piles from the Leguan Stelling low ramp had broke on Monday, January 28, 2019, causing the ramp to be inaccessible to passengers.
A team of Transport and Habour Department engineers have been dispatched to the location to assess the damage incurred. This matter is being treated with extreme urgency as materials are currently being sourced and repairs are expected to be completed within seven (7) days.
Leguan residents and passengers alike are advised to use the high ramp as the operations of the Stelling will be maintained.
Passengers are encouraged to use the Stelling with caution as our engineers facilitate repairs to the broken piles on low ramp.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure regrets any inconvenience caused.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Theft OF 37 LED STREET LIGHTS
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Electrical Engineering Department has reported the theft of thirty-seven (37) Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Street Lights in the following areas:
No.
Locations
# of Units
1
Eccles Industrial Site Road, East Bank Demerara
11
2
Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara
7
3
Schonnard Access Road, West Bank Demerara
4
Linden/Soesdyke Highway
5
Lombard Street, Georgetown
6
Providence Access Road, East Bank Demerara
Takuba Road Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown
According to the Department, the replacement cost per unit amounts to seventy-three thousand Guyana dollars (GY $73,000) which will cost the Ministry two million seven hundred and one thousand Guyana dollars (GY $ 2,701,000) in total to replace all thirty-seven LED lights.
Based on the engineer’s estimate, this is quite an exorbitant amount of finance to replace the LED lights, notably, these lights were installed in November 2019 in the aforementioned areas.
The Ministry is hereby pleading with the perpetrators to refrain from committing larceny against its country; as the Government of Guyana seeks to improve safety and security on Guyana’s road network.
The general public is kindly asked to report any suspicious act of theft to the Ministry’s Public Relations Department on 592-227-0799, via Facebook Messenger at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, or via Email at mopiguyana@gmail.com.
Friday, January 25, 2019 - The Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. under the purview of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has successfully installed (first) 60-meter Wind Resource Measuring Station at Onverwagt Berbice
This project is a cooperative effort between the Government of Guyana, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The key goal of this project is to promote renewable energy technologies through Guyana’s Sustainable Energy Program in urban and off-grid areas with the objectives to ;
a) increase energy access in Guyana, b) reduce long-term operational costs (primarily fuel costs) of on-grid generation and c) reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
The importance of this wind tower is to yield quality wind data, which can be used by wind project investors to develop wind farms in Guyana along its coast. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure recognizes that high-quality wind measurement is an essential ingredient in determining the feasibility of the wind project. The Ministry’s expectation is that within one to two years of high-quality data from tall met-masts (60-80 meters height), wind project developers can prepare a bankable feasibility report which can then lead to the financing of wind farm projects.
The tower consists of: Three wind speed sensors at 61m, 45m and 30m, wind direction sensors at 58m and 30.3m, temperature & relative Humidity sensor at 20m, and air pressure sensor 3m.
Over the next six months, the Hinterland Electrification Company will be installing three (3) more wind towers to facilitate the agenda of instituting renewable energy sources along the coast of Guyana.
Press Release
Monday, January 14, 2019 – The Government of Guyana is pleased to announce the selection of the ‘Guyana Hinterland Programme: Solar PV Grid Tie Farms’ by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) for funding by ADFD, as part of the sixth cycle of the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility. The announcement was made this week during the Ninth Session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The announcement of this award is timely as Guyana continues on its path towards a green economy. For Guyana, this project will receive a loan of US$8 million in the coming year to install 5.2 megawatts (MW) grid-connected solar PV systems in the hinterland communities of Bartica, Kwakwani, Lethem, Mahdia, Port Kaituma, and Matthew's Ridge to reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase the reliability of electricity supply, thereby moving to the provision of 24 hours sustained electricity generation in these communities. An estimated 34,700 people in the target areas will benefit and around 120 direct and indirect jobs are set to be created throughout the project lifecycle. Though this intervention is not expected to entirely replace diesel generation in the regions, the project will allow the utilities to annually reduce their diesel fuel consumption thereby allowing cost savings and a cleaner environment. The Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. supported by the Guyana Energy Agency submitted the project proposal to the ADFD Facility in February 2018 for consideration and was subsequently shortlisted and awarded in January 2019. Guyana was one of only three countries selected to be awarded this funding out of a submission of 112 proposed projects to the ADFD Facility across the globe.
According to the Director-General of ADFD, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, on Saturday said, “we are proud of our result-oriented Facility that has supported replicable, scalable and potentially transformative renewable energy projects set to benefit communities and improve their living conditions. Today, at the Ninth Session of the IRENA Assembly, we are pleased to have selected truly impactful projects valued at US$31 million for the sixth cycle of financing awarded by the Facility.’ In addition to Guyana, other countries awarded were Togo and Liberia. The IRENA/ADFD Project Facility helps emerging economies access low-cost capital for renewable energy projects to increase energy access, improve livelihoods and advance sustainable development.
By: Ms. Krest Cummings
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is moving ahead with the construction of a car park, market and second entrance to the East Bank Demerara village of Diamond.
The projects will be carried out in three phases, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said today on a Facebook post.
The Ministry has already tendered out for phase one which will see the construction of a market and taxi stand in the village. Following Phase one, Phase two will take effect and will see the extension of the road to First Avenue and beyond. Phase three which will go to tender in the third quarter of 2019 will be the extension of the existing roads to the East Coast (East Bank Bypass.)
According to Minister Patterson, having failed to construct the Diamond Entrance Overpass back in 2017, the government continued to seek alternatives.
With the help and cooperation of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), he said the government was able to access lands for the car park, market and a second entrance to Diamond.
In September 2017, the Ministry announced that the plans to construct the country’s first vehicular overpass had to be cancelled. Minister Patterson had said that the construction could not have materialized since there was not enough space for the overpass to end. He explained that the land was sold by the previous government to a private individual.
Alexis Rodney.DPI
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) attended the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation (ICAN) event, hosted by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority in Nairobi, Kenya from December 10 -14, 2018.
The annual ICAN event provides a forum for ICAO Member States to conduct multiple bilateral and plurilateral air services negotiations, consultations and networking opportunities. Delegates from seventy-one ICAO contracting States participated at ICAN in December 2018.
The Guyanese delegation which comprised the Director General of the GCAA, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, and Director for Air Transport Management, Mr. Saheed Sulaman, conducted twenty-six (26) meetings at ICAN. These negotiations will set the framework for expansion in air connectivity of Guyana with the rest of the world, and aid Guyana’s efforts in becoming a robust international air traffic hub.
These meetings resulted in the conclusion of sixteen Air Services Agreements (ASA’s) with Luxembourg, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, United Kingdom, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Oman, Malaysia, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Colombia, Morocco, Gambia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
These agreements were initialed and Memoranda of Understanding were signed with these countries. Pending signature of these agreements at the Ministerial level, the agreements are provisionally applied, which means airlines from other countries can commence flights to Guyana at any time provided that the airlines are operating by the conditions outlined in the ASA’s.
Additionally, Guyana also signed a Code Sharing Agreement with Australia and a Technical Cooperation Agreement with Ghana for the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise in the area of civil aviation.
Negotiations for ASA have commenced with Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, The Bahamas Senegal, and Saudi Arabia.
The negotiation of these agreements are complementary to the work started at the ICAO Air Transport Meeting which was held in Guyana from November 21-23, 2018 under the theme “Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development”.
