KINGSTON - The Ministry of Public Infrastructure would like to advise the general public to take all necessary precautions during the spring tides period of November 9, 2015 to November 13, 2015.
The predicted tide indicates above normal levels for this impending period. The Sea and River Defence Department considers the following areas to be particularly susceptible to possible flooding as a result of storm surges which may induce overtopping of sea/river defence structures:
· Johanna Cecelia, Cullen/Perseverance, Essequibo Coast; Charity & along Pomeroon River Banks
· Zeelandia/Moor Farm, Marionville/Bendorff, Good Success/ Sarah - Wakenaam Island
· Thierens/Success, Maryville, Cane Field/Amsterdam, Endeavour/Blenheim - Leguan Island
· Rotterdam/Crane, Anna Catherina to Leonora, W.C.D Parika, Look Out, Salem/Sparta, E.B.E
· Water Street, Georgetown, Kingston, Georgetown to Ogle, E.C.D, Mosquito Hall/Unity– E.C.D
· Bush Lot/Maida, Scottsburg, Corentyne and Along the East Bank of Berbice River
The highest tides are expected to be on Wednesday November 11, 2015 at 3:56pmat a height of 2.92 metres and Thursday November 12, 2015 at 4:27pm at a height of 2.91 metres. In addition to the captioned locations, all persons residing along the banks of rivers and low lying coastal areas are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flooding.
Precaution should also be taken by all mariners including those operating fishing vessels and larger vessels. Use of beaches and foreshore areas for recreational purposes during this period is not advised.
Contact Telephone Nos. 226-0650, 226 -1070, 226-4368, 225-7420, 619-3552, 654-4226, 654-4227, 662-4927.
KINGSTON - The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company is in continuous talks with residents of Bath, Region Five over the niggling street-light issue that surfaced a few weeks back.
GPL, after meeting with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five and his engineer, and then interfacing with residents, made it clear that ‘issues were badly handled’ in the very inception.
The power entity has clarified that it is responsible for the supply of electricity, and not the installation of ‘street lamps’ and automatic power supply for these, as they are personal matters and fittings, and are quite different from regular GPL street lamps.
However, GPL is quite cognisant of the need for additional lighting source, a result of the many burgeoning housing schemes. In this regard, GPL did grant a one-month concession to residents with illegal private street lights, asking that they ‘set their business in line’ by making sure that they were contracted to be supplied with electricity for their devices, which carry an additional charge of $1,266.00 for a 65 watt light, and $2,430.00 for the 120 watt.
It should be noted that the current position of GPL is that it stands ready to facilitate cooperating residents, as it is the company’s desire to continue to make available the ‘good life’ to all residents, a commitment of the current administration.
Currently GPL is pushing for residents, desirous of having the lamps, to have the matter expedited, as many had already done at the GPL office in Berbice.
Matters came to a full exposure when GPL removed the street lights in Bath after residents' failure to pay a monthly charge. Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, after protest action from the community, then explained that it is the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) that is responsible for paying the bill (for these lights) but in the case of Bath Settlement, payment was not forthcoming.
The Minister also detailed that GPL cannot afford to subsidise the cost, but if an arrangement is made with the NDC for payment, then the lights will be reinstalled. Minister Patterson also highlighted that the former People’s Progressive Party government did promise the residents, during the election period, that they were going receive free street lights, and thus the confusion.
KINGSTON - Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), revealed that sidewalks will be constructed along the main access road in Corriverton, Region Six (Upper Berbice/Upper Corentyne) before the end of May 2016.
He was at the time speaking at opening ceremony of the town’s 45th anniversary, exhibition and fair, held at Republic Square on Saturday, October 31, 2015.
“I have met with your Councilors and they have proposed the initiative, so before our 50th anniversary next year the sidewalks will be done,” Minister Patterson stated.
A commitment was also made to farmers, who have inundated the Minister to upgrade the access road from the fields to the market.
The Minister told the gathering that outstanding roads and sea defenses projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year and added that, “Any excess funds we have, I will ensure the road is resurfaced.”
Under the Government’s ‘Urban Renewal Programme’, a transformation of the rice producing town will gain prominence, the Minister said, which will include the rehabilitation of roads and stellings.
He challenged the residents to work along with their Councilors to present projects that are unique to their township, adding “you have a Minster who is driven and willing to develop Corriverton.”
Ample electricity
Hon Patterson acknowledged that electricity and energy, which falls under MPI, have always been an issue in Region 6.
Against this backdrop, he indicated that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is currently rehabilitating two engines under the Skeldon Electricity Inc (SEI) programme, which when completed will see residents receiving adequate power supply.
“The Finnish company Warstilla has been contracted to operate and maintain the SEI and its engineers are currently affecting repairs to the No. 1 and 2 generator sets. I was duly informed that by mid December the repairs will be completed,” the Minster stated.
Meanwhile, Hon. Dawn Hastings, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, noted that her Ministry is fully supportive of Corriverton’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) and urged its Councilors to work together for the betterment of the citizens.
“Ensure residents enjoy rich cultural and social lives in addition to maintaining, improving and protecting the environment,” she added.
Being a border town with Suriname, President of Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abraham Subnauth pointed to that fact that first impressions count. “So I am calling on Hon. Patterson to invest in our town,” he stated.
Following the opening ceremony, Minster Patterson flipped the switch, to the awe of residents, to the newly renovatedCorriverton publicmonument now brightly lit and surrounded by a fountain.
The celebration was observed under the theme “National cooperation through cohesion and enterprise.”
KINGSTON - Senior citizens on the West Coast Demerara will now receive their pensions in comfort, as Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure; Annette Ferguson commissioned the newly rehabilitated Meten-Meer-Zorg and Fellowship Post Offices.
These rehabilitation works were done in collaboration with Commander of ‘D” Division, and members of the religious and business communities, following a visit by Minister Lawrence. At that time the Minister was made aware of the level of accommodation that was available for pensioners. The post offices are now outfitted with seating accommodation and sheds.
According to Minister Lawrence, when one goes around the country, there are always complaints of pensioners falling down and all sorts of illnesses will become them when standing in long lines at the post offices. “… the country’s pensioners are precious elements of society and that as they grow; they should be treated with dignity and respect,” she noted.
“I was very happy to know that after I commented on the manner on which pensioners had to endure in order to collect their pension, actions were taken. I was so happy to hear that this birthed conception or this idea was already here in Region Three,” Minister Lawrence emphasised.
She is hopeful that other regions will adopt such initiative so that other pensioners can uplift their pension in comfort.
She also expressed gratitude to the Post Office Corporation for embracing the initiative and the Ministry of Infrastructure which has responsibility for post offices.
Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson said she is aware of the financial constraints that the post offices face. However, notwithstanding the challenges, those on the West Coast were able to collaborate with stakeholders to better the services offered at the facilities.
She further noted that the post offices have a mandate to provide services to the citizens, and that under her tenure, all such offices countrywide will be transformed to ensure that pensioners and other citizens transact their businesses in a comfortable and clean environment.
KINGSTON - The management of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) expressed its sincere gratitude to businessmen Halim Kahn and Rajiv Singh along with Commander Stephen Mansell of the Guyana Police Force ‘D’ Division for improving the accommodation facilities for Pensioners at the Meten-Meer-Zorg and Fellowship Post Offices.
The Philanthropists made their official presentation to the Corporation on Monday November 2, 2015, through an unveiling ceremony in the presence of the Honourable Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and Honourable Volda Lawrence, Minister of Social Protection.
Among the items donated were a new shed, benches, toilet facilities etc. at the Meten-Meer-Zorg Post Office. A new shed and benches were also constructed at the Fellowship Post Office.
Other contributors were Newland Lumberyard, Kares Engineering, Smart Aid 24 Hours Pharmacy, Archie, Reyaz Rahim, Haseeb Bacchus, Odyssey Jet Boat Service, Imran Baksh, Signtist Signs and Banners, Nazxim Trucking Service, Project C-PETS’ Members and others.
Management of the GPOC wishes to once again thank the aforementioned Philanthropists for their sterling contributions which will significantly improve the comfort of Pensioners transacting business at the Meten-Meer-Zorg and Fellowship Post Offices.
KINGTON - Schools in the riverain areas of Region Ten were the most recent to benefit from a life jacket distribution campaign by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
This latest distribution wave saw 96 children’s life jackets being handed over to Regional Chairman, Renis Morian for the Malali Primary, along with other schools in the lower river areas. Additionally, 12 adult life jackets were handed over to the Muritaro Primary School. This complements what was previously handed over.
Akosua McPherson, MARAD’s Public Relations Officer, in handing over the life jackets to Morian, indicated that this donation is to ensure the children’s safety on the waterways.
“Whilst we distributed a few life jackets before to some of the schools, we have noticed that more were needed for the children…it is hoped that they (the children) can be safe, whilst travelling to and from school, in their boats,” McPherson explained.
Sharmin Grey, a teacher of the Muritaro Primary School, which received a dozen adult life jackets for the teachers, expressed gratitude for the donation, which is not only timely, but needed. “A number of times we have boat accidents…the life jackets will help both the teachers and children to be more safe on the waterways…a set was given before, which went directly to the children…some from this batch will go to teachers, as they too traverse the waterways,” Grey indicated.
Other schools that recently benefitted from MARAD’s distribution campaign are Kartabo, Makouria, Holy Name, and Itaballi Primary Schools. Schools in the Region One area will soon benefit from such a distribution.
Meanwhile, Commander John Flores of the Guyana Defence Force, President of the Volleyball Association and Consultant at MARAD used the opportunity to donate a number of volleyballs and nets to the region.
He indicated that during Heritage Month activities, a request was made to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for such a contribution, along with a closer networking with the region, to develop the sport of volleyball.
“Im here to give you an impetus in terms of getting games organised for you, I have a plan at the federation level, to get out to the rural communities as much as possible….this donation covers two categories of balls-one for children and another for adults,” Flores explained.
He added that whilst volleyball is a cheap game and an ideal community sport, other such distributions were made to Buxton, Plaisance, and other communities countrywide.
Regional Chairman Morian indicated that he wants to see sports further developed and advanced in the region, as Region 10 is not just Linden.
“I’m thinking about Kwakwani, Rockstone, River’s View, Ituni… the youths in all those areas... we recall days when Linden was at the top of the map as it relates to sports, and whilst that has died, over the past few years there is a resurrection of sports in Region 10, and with support from such organisations as yours, I know for sure we can take sports in Region 10 to the next level,” Morian asserted. (GINA)
KINGSTON - The first phase of the rehabilitation of the Georgetown drainage system has concluded, with 45% of the main drains cleared and a combined expenditure of more than $195 million.
However, according to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Walter Willis noted, that one of the major challenges was the occupation of the reserves. “The reserves are occupied in various ways, with derelict vehicles, vending and people living on the reserves. This matter has been raised with the minister and his colleagues and we are looking to address it sometime in 2016,” he stated.
The work, which started almost immediately after the coalition government came into office was undertaken to bring relief to the many citizens who were affected by floods resulting from the 2015 May/June rains which saw several areas in Georgetown and its environs being inundated for almost three days.
On Friday the stakeholders inclusive of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), the Ministry of Communities, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) met for an update.
According to the GINA release, the meeting which was held in the boardroom of the ministry was convened by Willis, who explained to those gathered that it was the desire of Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson “to engage the stakeholders, update them the status of the works and ask for their support for phase two of the exercise.”
Willis recalled that at the onset, Patterson had summoned a meeting where a taskforce was set up to immediately start emergency works. The taskforce was mandated to look carefully at the drainage system and to identify the critical areas for rehabilitation.
The examination, he said, “showed the extent to which the system has and had deteriorated over the years in the length of time it took for us to drain the water off the land… It took three days and, even after that there were still some isolated areas that suffered longer period of inundation.”
In June, Patterson had explained that Cabinet had approved $75 million to be used immediately to clear the four major outbound channels at Kingston, Lamaha Street, Sussex Street and Meadowbank.
This sum, Willis explained, was used for the awarding of 11 contracts of which, nine have been completed, one suspended and one is ongoing.
“The Meadow Bank sluice that is owned and operated by Vieira, we had to suspend the desilting of that outfall channel due to the collapsing of an old revetment. If we had continued, the revetment would have collapsed and the high tide would have flooded Meadow Bank,” GINA quoted Willis as saying.
The release further stated that of the 79 kilometres of main drains leading from Cummings Lodge to Agricola, 33.2 kilometres were desilted. These drains lead to 13 sluices that drain the city. Most of the work was done using NDIA equipment through a collaborative effort.
In his remarks, City Engineer Colvern Venture stated that the M&CC will continue to work with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and other stakeholders to restore Georgetown to its former glory.
The release said Venture reported that in excess of $120 million had been expended by the city administration on the clearing of drains, sluices, canals and alleyways in the city particularly in the Bourda/Lacytown area. Eighty percent of these works have so far been completed with major works currently ongoing on the Church Street canal as well as on the Avenue of the Republic canal.
The city is also engaged in other works costing an additional $1.5 million in East and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The M&CC has through these works also managed to provide work for several residents of these communities as well as several other communities in Georgetown.
The release further stated that Community Liaison Officer on social and other issues at the Public Infrastructure Ministry Neilson Mc Kenzie said that several projects are also being undertaken in 12 other communities within Georgetown. These communities include South, North and East Ruimveldt, Sophia, Albouystown and Cummings Lodge. These projects, McKenzie said, includes addressing the relocation of persons from the reserve to facilitate clearing the drains within those areas.
Patterson in remarks to the meeting, reportedly explained that a substantial amount of work remains to be done and it is in this regard the private sector and other stakeholders are being asked to join the effort.
“Patterson lauded the initiative of the residents of Subryanville, Georgetown, where they raised approximately $1.5 million among themselves to assist in the restoration effort. He is urging other communities and residents to follow suit,” the release said.
The minister further proposed that a formal presentation be held with the private sector bodies and all other stakeholders to specifically identify the need for the successful completion of the project.
“The minister assured the meeting that his ministry would ensure the presentation is done as there is a great urgency to complete the desilting and clearing process,” GINA said.
At the launch of the task force in June, Patterson had explained that the efforts were not intended to be “a solution to our drainage problem [rather it was] an attempt… to ensure that should there be another period of high rainfall that the time taken to reduce the flooding or get the water out of the city will be reduced.”
KINGSTON - Persons living in the Timehri North area will benefit from better access to potable water and paved access road in the not too distant future.
This announcement was made by Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure, at Timehri North’s first Community Day on Saturday, October 31, 2015 in the Bourne Area.
Organized by an action group, the Community Day was intended to foster better relationships among the more than 300 residents living in the area.
Hon. Patterson lamented on the fact that prior to the May 11 General Election there was the ominous threat to remove a number residents for ‘squatting’ on Government’s land.
“You were here for more than 23 years, given some assistance for political mileage and then were threaten to be uprooted without any concrete plans for relocation. Well I am pleased to say that the APNU/AFC Administration will be creating a housing scheme within this same community to relocate the 15 homes that are in the pathway of the airport runway expansion project,” the Minister disclosed.
At the Minister’s last joint press conference, Hon. Patterson had shown reporters the designated area to relocate the residents.
Meanwhile, recognizing that most of the community depends on a small stream for potable water, the Public Infrastructure Minister said he will take up the matter with his colleague Hon. Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities. The residents recommend several standpipes be installed at strategic locations to alleviate the situation.
Further, the community’s main access road will be paved.
The Minister also encouraged the residents to become regularized and secure their land titles. “You have all worked hard, get your titles from the Communities Ministry so that you can use it as collateral…get together and start thinking as a team on ways to boost community development,” the Minister charged.
In another few weeks, the Minister is scheduled to return to the community to interact with residents.
KINGSTON - The Management of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) has indicated that they have submitted a proposal to the coalition government, accepting its proposed $40M subvention towards reduction of the toll.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson stated that indeed the proposal was sent by the bridge, indicating their willingness to accept the subvention being offered by the government, and that the document is with Cabinet currently being reviewed. It is expected that before the end of the week, feedback will be given.
She made this disclosure yesterday, October 28, 2015.
Dr. Surendra Persaud who is a representative of the BBCI’s Board of Directors, said the proposal covers multiple aspects of the relationship between the BBCI and the administration.
“Our proposal deals with the subsidy and other aspects of the relationship of the bridge company and the government, reduced into a legal framework…while it is open to be amended, government still has to perform due diligence by ensuring they agree with the clauses of the proposal,” Dr Persaud said.
Egbert Carter, BBCI’s Chairman indicated that whilst much was said regarding the inability of the company to readily accept the subsidy proposal, there was need to first notify the shareholders and “now that they would have agreed, we can accept the proposal made by the administration”.
The BBCI had first rejected the government’s offer of the financial support on the premise that its shareholders were not consulted on the matter. The government, in an effort to relieve the travelling public from paying high tolls, implemented river taxis. This mode of transportation was far cheaper and very successful, resulting in thousands of people, including school children utilising the boats.
The government’s proposal is that there be a reduction of the toll from $2200 to $1900 for passenger cars and buses, along with a 10% reduction for other classes of vehicles. However the bridge company will not lose, as the difference of the reduction will be borne by government.
The call to accept the government’s proposal comes a week after Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced that the administration will be seeking to acquire more shares in the BBCI. (GINA)
KINGSTON - Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure is currently representing Guyana at the inauguration of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in Barbados today, October 28, 2015.
CREE was endorsed by Caricom heads in July 2015 as the implementation hub for sustainable energy activities and projects within the region.
This is the result of a partnership between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience Initiative – SIDS DOCK; and the Secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The inauguration ceremonywasheld at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Bridgetown where Hon. Freundel Stuart, Barbados Prime Minister and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM delivered the key note address.
Shevon Wood, an Economist from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) accompanied Minister Patterson on the trip.
