KINGSTON - The European Union (EU), which has been of major support to Guyana, via funding a number of development related projects, came in for high praise for particular efforts to improve sea and river defence structures countrywide.
Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Works Services Group, stated that the EU has been funding and assisting the people of Guyana, in terms of sea and river defence works throughout the country.
“Since the 7th European Development Fund (EDF), there are now quite a number of structures that have been completed throughout those periods that have really assisted …you have seen the rip - rap structure being one of the main types of structures being used for construction,” Vaughn explained.
He added that whilst most of the country’s sea and river defence structures were constructed years ago, continuous assessment is done to determine where emphasis should next be placed for rehabilitative or re-construction works to be executed.
“Works are ongoing throughout … if you look on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), the guys constructed rip - rap in the Hope area, vertical sheets and sheet walls were constructed on the EBD… also we are working and we will continue to work to ensure that the line is there,” Vaughn explained.
Whilst ensuring the country’s sea and river defence structures receive ample attention, to truly serve the purpose they were constructed for many years ago, is by no means an easy task; however, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will continue to keep them functionally operational, Vaughn said. Towards this end, Vaughn added that the Works Services Group will continue to forge ahead with its engineering personnel, to ensure fresh ideas are forthcoming and the development of these structures are continued.
“…we will look towards new innovation wherever possible and innovations that can be used to alleviate some of the problems we’ve been having with our sea and river defences,” Vaughn said.
Guyana has been the beneficiary of successive EDFs, embracing a number of key projects in areas essential to the country’s human and economic development. Total financial assistance to Guyana from the EU, since the beginning of the Lomé Convention in 1975, is estimated in excess of 300 million Euros. This amount does not include bilateral cooperation by EU Member States, support under the regional programme, or the trade preferences and protocols.
The 10th EDF framework focused on sea defences, power and water, good governance and the development of a land use plan. The strategic and programming framework for the 11th EDF, which will last from 2014 to 2020, has identified climate change adaptation and risk reduction as priority areas, utilising a sum of 34 million Euros.
KINGSTON - Works have commenced on the widening of the West Coast Demerara road from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie which is a partnership project between the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) valued at US$46.8M.
Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Works Services Group said that works have commenced from the Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo end.
“That’s approximately six kilometres from Hydronie coming down where utilities have been moved…we will see some amount of widening taking place in those areas …” Vaughn said.
This project which is being executed by overseas construction company Surrey Paving and Aggregate Company Ltd in joint venture with local company, BK International will see approximately 36km of road being widened.
“On completion of the project, you will see areas being wider in terms of roads…you may see the road being more like a three-lane rather than a full four lane…it’s more of an upgrade,” Vaughn explained.
He added that sidewalks and bicycle lanes which enhance safety on the roadways will be seen on this road so that pedestrians would not have to interface with traffic directly.
KINGSTON - The transformation that has taken place thus far in and around the city has not only seen eye sores removed, but a number of city roads have been rehabilitated, much to the satisfaction of commuters.
It is the intention of the administration to take this level of transformation to the outlying regions, and to do so, $640.9M will be spent to rehabilitate several hinterland roads that are in a terrible state of disrepair or deterioration.
Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Works Services Group, “We know for a fact that Bartica is supposed to become a town sometime next year in April, and the Ministry at this present time is looking to do a lot of inputs in terms of making Bartica into a town…we are going to be executing quite a number of roads and drainage works in Bartica.”
This means that as 2016 fast approaches, internal road networks will be significantly upgraded to the standards touted by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson. These roads are expected to last a minimum of five years.
Allocations from the 2015 budget will see works on the internal roads in Mahdia, Region Eight being significantly upgraded and rehabilitated. “… we have contracts out for the supply of materials for works to commence. As soon as those works commence in Mahdia, we will see vast improvement in terms of their infrastructure,” Vaughn explained.
As efforts continue to significantly improve the country’s road transportation network, the pivotal Linden-Lethem road will also receive attention.
“We know for a fact the Linden-Lethem road is also a link towards our neighbour which is Brazil, which would improve trade between the two countries, and we also have in train the deep water harbour for which studies are being done presently through (the) Inter-American Development Bank,” Vaughn said.
He added that those are some of the projects that link not only the country’s internal network, but also provide a connection to Guyana’s neighbours.
“It’s quite a big investment however, from the ministry’s point of view we will be trying to work the project into phases… this is where we are at this stage… working out the modalities in terms of how do we phase the project in or will the project be a private public partnership,” Vaughn added.
The sum of $640.9M was allocated for hinterland roads for 2015 which will be spent to complete and rehabilitate those in Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in areas such as Wanaina, Yarakita, Bartica, Brian Sucre Junction- Mahdia, Lethem, Katoonarib-Aishalton, and Aishalton-Kraudar; and reconstruction of internal roads in Mahdia.
The Ministry of Finance’s 2015 Mid -Year report which points out the performance of key sectors, has indicated that more than $70M was spent for the first half of the year under the air and river transport sector.
Government’s investment saw $47M being spent on capital works to maintain the Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, Kamarang and Imbaimadai airstrips, whilst $27.5M was spent to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) runway.
Investigations have shown that the unfavourable soil conditions in the area earmarked for the extension of the runway has caused several delays to the execution of the CJIA Extension Project.
As the administration continues its stride to ensure the country’s air and river transport sector is transformed on par with the level of transformation envisaged for the country, the latter half of 2015 will see the improvement of service delivery through the country’s waterways along with the rehabilitation of MV Sandaka, Barima and Kimbia, along with the dredging of the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers.
Guyana will also benefit from a modern airport at an economical cost since the administration successfully renegotiated the CJIA contract to include upgrades and modifications to the existing terminal building and a realigned runway.
KINGSTON - Regional Sales Director, Diego Bermudez Parra, along with a team from COPA Airlines met with David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure earlier today in Hon. Patterson’s Boardroom.
Among the issues discussed was COPA’s commitment to providing continued quality service to its passengers and the additional two flights which will be introduced to its Georgetown/Panama route from December 16, 2015.
In July, the Panamanian based airline celebrated its one year anniversary since it started serving the people of Guyana with one-stop connections to as many as 74 destinations in 31 countries around the Caribbean and Americas.
KINGSTON - Franklin Hoyer, Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), South America Regional Office and Oscar Quesada-Carboni, Deputy Regional Director on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Annette Ferguson, Minister with responsibility for civil aviation in Guyana.
The high-level delegation was here to obtain support from the government for ICAO compliance, and to urge that Guyana as a signatory to the Chicago Convention focuses its efforts on achieving an acceptable level of effective implementation of the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
SARPsare the technical specifications promulgated by ICAO with the aim of achieving the highest practicable degree of uniformity in regulations, standards, procedures and organization in relation to the safe and orderly development of civil aviation.
Mr. Hoyer expressed ICAO’s concern at Guyana’s poor level of effective implementation of the ICAO’s SARPs, noting that over the years several technical assistance missions from ICAO would have been deployed to Guyana. However, Guyana has failed to raise its level of ICAO’s compliance.
The delegation also briefed the Minister on the ‘No Country Left Behind’ initiative, which aims at providing technical assistance for ICAO’s Member States with poor levels of effective implementation of the ICAO SARPs.
Officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) were also part of the discussion including Chaitrani Heeralall, Director General (acting); Amanza Desir, General Counsel; Saheed Sulaman, Air Transport Officer and Abraham Doris, Aviation Safety Inspector.
KINGSTON - Last evening, the GCAA in collaboration with the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana held a Stakeholders Forum at which most of the pressing challenges affecting the aviation industry were ventilated.
I believe, last night’s forum serves as a good impetus for the commencement of this Aviation Conference under the theme “Advancing aviation through safety, technology and synergies”.
Aviation is a key sector in the facilitation of global, regional and national development. To underscore its importance, globally, aviation moves 3.3 billion passengers annually, contributes roughly 3.5 per cent of global GDP and employs some 58 million people worldwide.
In Guyana, while the contribution of aviation to Guyana’s GDP is not known, the sector provides an estimated 3,000 direct jobs and is responsible for bringing 81 per cent of tourists to Guyana. Aviation connects our coastland and hinterland communities and supports a variety of activities and sectors such as agriculture, forestry, mining, tourism and social services.
From the commercial perspective, safety in aviation is a key prerequisite for the sustainable development of aviation which is a catalyst for economic and social development.
Despite its noted importance in Guyana’s national development, the sector faces numerous challenges such as, a weak regulatory regime, shortage of skilled personnel, underdeveloped search and rescue system, limited international routes and global connectivity, no national airline, poor state of hinterland aerodromes. Above all of these challenges, is the challenge to keep aviation safe and maintain public confidence in the safety of air transportation, which today, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization is still the safest mode of transportation.
I view this Aviation Conference as an importance one, as it will help us to shape our policies and priorities to set Guyana on the right track especially as Government’s attention is on restoration and renewal of Guyana to create ‘a good life for all’.
Guyana must once again find itself among the countries of the world that are compliant with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices. We must investment in infrastructure that will aid our efforts to meet the timelines established in the Global Aviation Safety Plan and the Global Air Navigation Plan. Key to achieving this, is a successful completion of Guyana’s ICAO Compliance Project, which has received my Government’s support. With the successful completion of the ICAO Compliance Project, I am confident we will achieve the much talked about US FAA Category One status.
I am very pleased that the agenda for this Conference is centered on the pressing challenges affecting safety in the sector and therefore I envisage that at the end of today’s Aviation Conference, workable solutions will be arrived at, to improve aviation safety.
I am fully supportive of ICAO’s new direction of No Country Left Behind and therefore with regional, international and my Government’s support, Guyana will Not be Left Behind. Gone are those days!
I wish everyone a successful Conference.
Thank you!
KINGSTON - John Mullins, Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Airways (DYA), paid a courtesy call on Hon. Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, earlier today, October 19 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.
Mr. Mullins disclosed several initiatives to be implemented by the airline including the introduction of new routes and boosting its cargo capacity.
Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive Officer of Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA); Saheed Sulaman, Air Transport Officer, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); James Smollen, Dynamic Airways Chief of Security and Captain Gerald Gouveia, Roraima Airways were also part of the meeting.
KINGSTON - Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, on October 16, inspected the roads that are being done by the Ministry’s Force Account Unit, in West Ruimveldt, and instructed that all roads there be upgraded.
West Ruimveldt is Hon. Ferguson’s constituency.
“…more roads will be done…I told the technical guys, that before coming out of the West Ruimveldt area, they are to do a thorough assessment…which roads are left to be done, let us make one thing, and complete all roads within the community,” Minister Ferguson explained.
She added that whilst she is pleased with the feedback from the residents, she is as well satisfied with the quality of work the Ministry’s Force Account Unit has done.
Within the past two weeks, approximately seven roads were completed, including Gilhuys Square, Shoppers Lane, Crescent Street, Industrial Site road, and Ice House road.
The Minister, during the inspection, lauded Lawrence Mentis, Chief Engineer of the Force Account Unit and his team for a job well done, as the roads, prior to now, were impassable in some areas, whilst others were in a serious state of disrepair.
KINGSTON - Members/drivers of the route 56 Minibus Association met with Hon. Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) this afternoon, October 15, 2015, and proposed a “time system” be reintroduced, whereby the Berbice water taxis would halt their service several hours during the day in an effort to facilitate the mini-buses operations.
Prior to the introduction of the water taxi service, the mini buses were the main mode of public transportation plying the Rosignol / New Amsterdam route where the one way fare for an adult is $300.00 compared to $120.00 with the water taxis.
The drivers complained to the Minister that since the new system was introduced, many buses “would barely get a load or two on a daily basis, and if the situation persists, as many as 49 families will be on the breadline.”
They suggested that the most viable option is to allow the buses to operate between 09:00h to 15:00h as was previously done when the pontoon was in operation.
Minister Ferguson assured the members that she will discuss their proposal with her colleague Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure and give them feedback as soon as possible.
As for the difficulties the drivers face, she said, “It was never the Government’s intention to take bread out of anyone’s mouths. We are just trying to bring relief to Guyanese who felt the pressure of paying a hefty price to cross the bridge.”
Meanwhile, the Association’s members clarified that their recent protest actions were targeted at the Berbice River Bridge officials, and their unwillingness to accept the $300 subsidy offered by Government. However, at least one newspaper misconstrued their actions for political mileage.
