Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson urged residents of Plaisance, Goedverwagting and Sparendaam on the East Coast Demerara to actively participate in the upcoming Local Government Elections.
At a community meeting held at the Plaisance Primary School on Sunday, the Minister reminded residents that the elections represent an opportunity for them to elect councils and councillors who will ensure the development of their respective communities.
She emphasised that choosing the best official to serve the communities will ensure that programmes such as garbage collection, maintenance of drains, community roads and the street lights are executed by the NDCs and that the residents are not left dependent on the Ministry for these services.
“Areas such as these are managed by NDCs which get a government subvention and collect taxes to execute such programmes. So, that everything does not have to be done at central government level,” Ferguson explained.
Minister Ferguson reiterated that failure to grasp the opportunity to participate in the elections could result in a reversal to the decay that beset many for too several years.
“If you examine infrastructure in certain communities you would find that for 20 plus years, there were blocked drains, no street lights, deplorable bridges and roads and taxes were not collected in a timely manner. You have to go out in your numbers and cast your votes solidly to change the current dynamics,” Minister Ferguson stressed.
Echoing the same sentiments, Technical Advisor to Minister of Communities, Shawn Austin noted that LGE was resuscitated by the government to empower persons to participate and to lead in the renewal of their communities.
Austin told residents that this local democracy is important because “it lets you understand that we serve you the people and we listen to you in the decisions you make in your constituencies and the representatives. Hence the reason the government brought back the local government elections,” Austin underlined.
Local Government elections were successfully completed in Guyana, after a 22-year delay, on Friday, March 18, 2016.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been allocated some $2.9B for the holding of the elections, will be constitutionally due between the beginning of November and early December this year.
The 2016 LGE saw a 43 percent participation. However, this government has set a higher percent target for 2018.
The stalled rehabilitation of the Grahams Street in Plaisance will soon recommence. This follows a commitment by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson to ensure the roadworks are resumed
The repairs to the street began under the then Public Works Ministry.
“The Ministry will work along with the regional administration, to have our technical teams conduct a feasibility study and assessment and then proceed to have the necessary measures taken,” Minister Ferguson said. She was at the time conducting an infrastructural assessment visit to the communities of Plaisance, Goedverwagting and Spareendaam in Region Four.
At a community meeting held at Plaisance Primary School, following the assessment, Minister Ferguson committed to addressing the issues of poor internal roads, damaged bridges, drainage and irrigation, inadequate street lights and improper solid waste disposal affecting the communities.
The Minister noted that some of the problems raised would have accumulated over a period of time.
Minister Ferguson explained that her Ministry has already budgeted for programmes in 2018 for which it must attend. She however assured that the savings accrued will be utilised to realise the commitments made during the visit.
“We have to ensure that the critical programmes we catered for in 2018 are well executed, whatever savings we have we will try to address some of the most critical areas in these communities.”
Chairman of the Demerara/Mahaica Regional Administration, Genevieve Allen commended the much-anticipated visit by Minister Ferguson.
The visit is a precursor for others to come to assess and address any infrastructure developments in several communities on the East Coast of Demerara.
A DPI Report.
The parliamentary tour of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project is underway! The response has been overwhelming, with parliamentarians, Parliament staff, — including the Speaker and clerk! — members of the media, and representatives of the private and tourism sector being in attendance. Follow us on our facebook page for more photos as well.
IN the first quarter of 2018, the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) visited 3,191 sites and collected 8,339 fuel samples and seven discoveries of illegal fuel were recorded, with over 9,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel seized.
This, the agency noted, is an achievement of 22 per cent and 24 per cent respectively for its annual target. Additionally, the GEA noted that there have been two convictions so far and three matters are ongoing before the court.
According to Public Communications Officer Taiwo Williams, in 2017 GEA’s inspectors visited 12,882 sites and collected 33,891 samples, which resulted in 29 discoveries of illegal fuel and the seizure of over 11,000 gallons of illegal gasoline and diesel. She said this was supported by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDFCG) and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs.
It should be noted, Williams said, that the percentage of sites found with significant dilution in at least one tank continues to be no more than three per cent since 2010, with two per cent being recorded in 2017.
Apart from Georgetown, it was noted that the GEA continues to operate out of bases on the Essequibo Coast, Bartica and Linden. Further, routine and intelligence-based operations continue to be done in various areas across the country as needed.
For 2017, the GEA recorded six convictions. Compensation was accepted from four individuals under GEA’s legislation in the sum of $1,237,000.
The communications officer wishes to remind all licence-holders in the business of transporting, storing, retailing, wholesaling or importing petroleum and petroleum products of their licensing obligations under the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations 2014 and requirements for timely renewal, through submission of requisite documentation. Further, she said that the obligation of conformity through the licensing process supports the GEA’s rigid stance in stamping out fuel-smuggling through proper monitoring, enforcement and compliance.
Adding that the Legal & Licensing Division of the GEA serves to execute a primary function of the agency through ‘monitoring the performance of the energy sector in Guyana, including the production, importation, distribution and utilisation of petroleum and petroleum products’ (s. 5(2)(c) GEA Act cap 56:05), Williams said this is further regulated and guided by the provisions of the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations 2014, permitting the issuance of licences of the various categories.
These categories include: import, wholesale, retail, bulk transportation carrier, storage, export and consumer installation. This also surrounds site and vehicle inspections to ensure safety and environmental compliance.
GEA publishes annually in the Gazette, a list of all licences issued in accordance with the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations. These numbers and licence holders are therefore a matter of public record.
These licences are required for the conduct of different types of activities concerning petroleum and petroleum products. Petroleum and petroleum products include diesel, gasoline, kerosene, aviation fuel, lubricants and LPG.
At December 31, 2017, the following summarises the various classes of valid licences:13 Import and Importing Wholesale Licences for importation of “fuels” that is; diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and aviation fuel and 22 Import and Importing Wholesale Licences issued for the importation of either lubricants and/or LPG only. The agency noted that persons with information relating to fuel-smuggling and possession of illegal fuel can contact the agency at 226-0394 or 629 3391 to assist its efforts in combating smuggling.
On Tuesday, Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, said that fuel-smuggling continues to be a problem despite efforts to thwart it. He blamed the challenges faced by his entity on the lack of sufficient resources, given the number of persons granted fuel import licences by the GEA. He alluded to a Memorandum of Understanding between the two entities to work together.
“There is no use the GEA grants an import licence and GRA doesn’t know or things are not in place for us to actually check the fuel,” Statia said, pointing to the fact that fuel exempted from taxes and destined for Mabaruma and other hinterland locations have found its way into Georgetown and some parts of the Essequibo. “We have to be extremely vigilant. It will always happen as long as there is cheap fuel at our border regions…people will always try to buy that cheap fuel and try to bring it into the country,” Statia noted.
Guyana Chronicle April 26, report.
ANOTHER major United States-based airline has expressed interest in plying the Georgetown-Miami and Georgetown-New York routes by year-end, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson announced on Monday.
He was at the time speaking on the ‘Let’s Gyaff’ morning show aired on the National Communications Network’s (NCN) Voice of Guyana (VOG) radio. Patterson said, “American Airlines is here and there is another American-based airline that has said they want to be put our schedule on for the end of this year. I won’t announce their name but you could guess who it is.”
The minister was at the time giving an update on the ongoing works to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA),Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Monday’s disclosure follows an announcement by American Airlines in March that it intends to start operations here by year-end.
In a statement, the airline had said its customers are looking for warm climates come winter, along with history and culture and as such it is offering access to three new cities in South America: Georgetown, Guyana; Pereira, Columbia and Cordoba, Argentina. “We’re creating a world-class customer experience and as the largest U.S. carrier in Mexico and South America, we are committed to offering more choices with the best schedules for our customers in the region,” said Vasu Raja, vice president, Network and Schedule Planning. The airline is expected to operate the Georgetown, Miami route. Meanwhile, Patterson said that by year end, Guyana will be sporting one of the most modern airports in this part of the world. He disclosed that the airport will have all the modern conveniences while adding that focus is not only on the interior of the airport but also the exterior.
Meanwhile, Minister Patterson explained that work will be done to construct another roundabout at the airport, as well as the installation of an additional parking lot and several outdoor concessionaires. “As soon as we are finished we will go to a second phase of work which would be funded by the government and the airport, which is outdoor concessionaires. We want to have a pleasant atmosphere,” Patterson stated.
He said work on the airport is moving apace, noting that the project is divided into three phases. In the first phase, the airport’s runway is being extended. He said this aspect of the project is almost complete. Only the south western section of the runway is to be completed; that section is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of this year.
Upon completion of the expansion project, the runway which is presently 2270 metres will be extended by 710 metres to the north-east and 840 metres to the south-west to accommodate almost every large aircraft, while the terminal building, which received facelifts in the 1960s and 1990s, will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility. With an extended runway, the country’s aviation operators will be able to entice and attract larger transatlantic aircraft, which means that the passenger flow will be significantly increased.
In the second phase, the new arrivals building will be completed, and according to the minister, that section of the airport is scheduled to be opened in June. When completed, Patterson said two boarding bridges will be operational. An additional two bridges are en route to Guyana and the minister noted that all four of the boarding bridges will become operational as air traffic increases.
MPS TO VISIT AIRPORT Members of Parliament are scheduled to tour the facility on Friday. In February, President David Granger, along with some members of his cabinet had toured the airport. “The existing terminal will be converted to a departure lounge with increased duty free concessionaires–increased eating accommodation, and seating accommodation. That is of course being done in phases as the airport has to remain operational. At the end of this month we would be handing over half of the new departure section and where you actually use now will be renovated,” said Patterson.
He said the other half of the departure section is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of the year. “The end product will be a new terminal building with four boarding bridges, a runway that could take any class of commercial airline travelling now and a new departure lounge,” the Public Infrastructure Minister said, noting that upon completion Guyana’s runway is likely to be one of the longest in the Caribbean, if not the longest.
“By the end of this year, you would have an airport which you are very proud of,” he said, alluding to the fact that the number of persons visiting Guyana has increased tremendously over the past two years. Thus far for 2018, some 7500 persons arrived at the CJIA. The key components of the airport expansion project are two passenger boarding bridges, a CCTV system with approximately 300 cameras, a 13,737-square-metre terminal building area, 32 check-in counters and a 450-seat departure area, as well as elevators and escalators. The airport will also be outfitted with kiosks to facilitate self-check in, in an effort to save time.
“The interest in Guyana is phenomenal and obviously we now have to rise to the challenge- if people want to come here, we have to show them that we know we are the next big thing and we have to act like we are the next big thing,” declared Patterson.
Several communities in and around Georgetown are benefitting from improved drainage. Community Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Neilson McKenzie, said that the Ministry has been working with the respective Neighborhood Democratic Councils to support their desilting and cleanup initiatives in flood-prone communities.
McKenzie cited the example of work done to the Albouystown canal to allow for the canal to retain more water during high tide and to have improved runoff when sluices are opened.
“In Albouystown we know we had some issue with high tide which caused some degree of flooding but you would notice that the speed of run off was amazingly more sustained and better managed than ever before,” McKenzie said.
The Community Coordinator explained that although there was up to two feet of flood water in some areas, the water levels receded quickly once the kokers and pumps servicing those communities were fully operational.
“That is a testimony to the excellent work done not only by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, but we have to compliment the residents and supervisory staff. The residents did a remarkably wonderful job, (and it) is something we want to replicate across the country where possible.”
“We had done the entire Albouystown block from Callender Street to Saffon Street last year using 100 percent personnel from the Albouystown. In South Ruimveldt, work that we did last year we (also) had 100 percent of North Ruimveldt residents and members of that community participating. In the South Ruimveldt we had about 60 percent from that area because that was an expanded exercise.”
For a long time prior to the clean-up exercise, there had been a massive buildup of silt and vegetation in the drainage canals. These exercises which began last year and concluded in the first week of 2018 were geared at alleviating some of those difficult drainage issues that affected residents of the communities.
The Ministry is planning to implement similar exercises in West Ruimveldt and Charlestown.
DPI Report.
The much anticipated Kitty Roundabout is about a month away from completion. This is according to Senior Engineer at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Sherod Parkinson.
“We’re presently in the phase where we’re closing off certain sections. They are now preparing to pave the section from Kitty Public Road to the Vlissengen Road. They are also working to create the ‘island’ (the centre of the roundabout).” Parkinson added that light poles are also being installed.
“It (will then be) just a matter of determining what will be done with the ‘island’ the road markings (and) signs,” the engineer explained.
The design of the roundabout includes two traffic signals which will control the traffic from Irving Street and Kitty Public Road.
Earlier in the year, a $78.9Million contract was awarded to S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services for works on the roundabout.
The roundabout will significantly improve the flow of traffic in the area, enabling motorists to reach their destinations faster.
MOPI News: Traffic has resumed Saturday April 21, 2018 on the Good Hope Bridge East Coast Demerara, after being under repairs for almost three weeks.. The bridge is now 95% completed with a few minor works to be done. The Good Hope Bridge was awarded to BK Internatonal at a cost of $23.5M
The purpose of the walkabout is to inspect the infrastructural characteristics within the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and to see how best the Ministry can assist where possible. There will also be the holding of a TOWN HALL meeting with residents. The nine (9) Neighbourhood Democratic Councils stretches from Industry/Plaisance all the way to Cane Grove on the East Coast of Demerara. The walkabout will begin on the 29th of April and end the 29th of August 2018.
The visit will also include a number of agencies for example; MOPI Work Services Group which will also include, River & Sea Defense, Roads, Bridges, Traffic and Street Lights Departments, Guyana Power and Light, Guyana Water Incorporated, the Ministry of Communities and the Government Electrical Inspectorate. The first NDC to be visited is Industry/Plaisance and according to OverseerMs. Deborah Mc Dowell they are prepared and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Minister Feguson and team.
Members of the press will also be part of the team to provide coverage.
