KINGSTON - Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson has noted with concern the statements made in some sections of the media pertaining to the new initiative by the Government of Guyana in the form of river taxis plying the New Amsterdam/Rosignol route.
The Minister is reiterating that the move by the present Administration is a necessity for residents of Region 5 and 6 to ease the financial burden of the high price to cross the Berbice Bridge.
Meanwhile, the concerns of the minibus operators are on the Ministry’s agenda. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Annette Ferguson met with the operators is currently drafting a proposal to reach an amicable resolution.
“We are aware of their concerns and the common objective is to have a win- win solution,” Minister Patterson stated.
The River taxi service commenced operation on September 21, 2015 with three hundred and eighty two passengers enjoying the $240 return trip from Rosignol -New Amsterdam.
As of September 26, 2015, 2,276 passengers have utilized the Rosignol-New Amsterdam route, while 2,701 passengers have crossed the New Amsterdam-Rosignol route.
KINGSTON - In light of an article published in the September 28, 2015 edition of the Guyana Times Newspaper, titled “Vehicle owners, businesses complain about staff at Supenaam Stelling-friends get preferential treatment,” the Transport and Harbour Department (T&HD) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has launched an investigation into the operations at the Stelling.
Marclene Merchant, General Manager of T&HD, indicated that the investigation which was launched today, will conclude latest by weekend, as the Assistant Superintendent has already written his statement surrounding the incident. Additionally, where the investigation finds any member of staff culpable of any wrongdoing, disciplinary actions would be taken against them.
“There is a system where thirty vehicles are usually allowed into the compound to go on the boat. The space for twelve vehicles is usually left for priorities and perishables. If there are not so many priorities travelling onthat particular crossing, other vehicles from the line are allowed to enter onto the vessel,” Merchant explained.
While vehicles are loaded based on a first-come - first-serve basis, they are expected to be present at least an hour before the departure time.
The complaints from commuters using of the Parika-Supenaam ferry services saw the management of T&HD implementing a rotation system, where the most senior supervising officer from each port (the Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent in some cases) are rotated.
KINGSTON - River taxis Captains and Bowmen were honoured for their professional and dedication to safety of their passengers during a ceremony to observe World Maritime Day last Friday, September 25 in Kingston.
Copping the Best Captains titles were Roy King who plies the Vreed-en-Hoop to Georgetown route; Lennox Jordan, Bartica to Parika route; Jitindra Singh, Wakenaam to Parika route; Vijay Shuhrajh, Supenaam to Parika route and Mark Harris, Leguan to Parika route.
Meanwhile, the Best Bowmen titles are given to Davindra Ramnauth Vreed-en-Hoop to Georgetown route; Ganesh Persaud the Bartica to Parika route; Kenrick West, Wakenaam to Parika route; Colbert Baird (Snr), Supenaam to Parika route and Charles L. Sookraj, who plies the Leguan to Parika route.
RANDY; THE ROCK, BEKAH.H; CEA GELEE CLASSIC DAD & SON and SEA GLOW were named Best Kept Vessels.
David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure congratulated the Captains and crew and pledged that the Stellings will be repaired shortly.
KINGSTON - Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, today indicated that efforts would be made to strengthen the local maritime agency.
The Minister made this announcement at the opening ceremony of the World Maritime Day Exhibition, hosted by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the theme “Maritime Education and Training”
The exhibition is in the compound of the Transport and Harbour Department, Kingston.
According to Hon. Patterson, while Guyana’s marine section of the transportation sector is slightly behind, government plans to direct more investments in the physical transportation sector of the industry, over the short and medium terms.
While investments will be made to acquire modern vessels to boost the transportation sector, the Infrastructure Minister believes that training for those in the industry is also important.
“I’d like to task MARAD and everyone else to look at training to help develop a large cadre of maritime professionals. I have spoken to my counterpart minister in Jamaica, they have a well-established maritime school, with the hope that maybe from next year we can establish a full scholarship for eligible students from Guyana where they will only be required to pay board and lodging,” Minister Patterson disclosed.
Patterson added that, with the advent of Petroleum exploration, investments will be made to enhance the necessary maritime standards so that MARAD can be better equipped to police the waterways, ensure the safety of those who travel and execute search and rescue missions, should there be a disaster on any of the oil exploration platforms.
Minister Patterson further said that MARAD will soon address the issue of sunken and derelict vessels in the country’s waterways as they pose serious problems to the safety of boats plying the varying channels. As such, a comprehensive plan to execute this objective will be developed.
“I know there are some areas that need strengthening, in that regard there is now a lawyer on board at MARAD who is tasked with reviewing the maritime laws to bring Guyana upto the international standard,” Patterson said.
Claudette Rogers, Director-General of MARAD, indicated that this year’s theme is most appropriate as maritime education and training continues to be a primary concern for policymakers and operators, given the fact that the advancement and expansion of the sector is heavily dependent on the skills of practitioners in the shipbuilding companies, port operations and onboard ships.
She added that since MARAD’s establishment it has sought to create synergies with other administrations and in the Caribbean Region and the United States Coast Guard to create and promote training exercises.
Today’s event also saw a number of boat captains and bowmen being honoured for their outstanding efforts towards safety, in providing transportation on the waterways.
The United Nations implemented World Maritime Day to celebrate the industry’s contribution to the world economy especially in shipping. The annual event focuses on the maritime environment, safety and security for boats and ships.
KINGSTON - Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, addressing attendees at an exhibition held to celebrate World Maritime Day, said that coroner’s inquest will be held for those who lost their lives via river accidents.
He said while the question of accidents on the waterways came to the attention of the administration even before they came into power, the administration stands and remains concerned over any unfortunate or unforeseen deaths, regardless of the sector.
“Cabinet has reintroduced the coroner’s inquest where every death by unnatural cause; irrespective of sector or reason, will be given an inquest. It is in our laws and it is due to the families of the bereaved,” Minister Patterson remarked.
An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, held to determine the cause of a person’s death. In Guyana the sitting magistrate acts as a coroner, who empanels a jury after which conducts the inquiry.
Patterson declared that the inquest would not be held to apportion blame but to simply establish what went wrong and where, so that it can be corrected, thereby minimizing future occurrences.
Recently, the Maritime Administration embarked on an aggressive campaign to sensitise, train and equip speedboat operators on the acceptable level of safety that must be attained.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, is on record as saying that Cabinet intends on reviewing the coroner’s legislation with a view of expanding those who are qualified to sit as coroners.
The primary objective of this move is to remove all hurdles and ensure inquests are given the necessary attention needed, taking into account the heavy workload the sitting magistrates face on a daily basis.
KINGSTON - Recognizing the need to regularize our maritime industry, Maritime Administrative Department (MARAD) was established in 2003, and I wish to place on record that the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is highly appreciative of the strides made in this sector to our national development.
Today, we join the rest of the world to observe World Maritime Day under the theme “Maritime Education and Training”.
This theme is rather important and relevant in the general context as it relates to the further advancement of maritime transport. In every sector of our society, the human element is an indispensible component, whether it is industry or in the service sector.
Whenever maritime experts and practitioners in the field of maritime transport ensemble to examine issues relating maritime policy, technical cooperation, the formulation of global maritime policy, in response to maritime accidents or search and rescue operations, serious consideration is given to the human element. Many of the maritime accidents which occurred over the past three decades have been attributed to human error. Therefore, the call for the intensification of training of seafarers at the deck side as well as in the engine room has become louder.
Ships have become larger, and moretechnologically advanced. This means that our maritime workers must be kept abreast with new developments and innovations in the global maritime industry.
I am aware that Guyana has ratified the Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW) 95 Convention. However, there is no locally accredited maritime institution to offer training for ship officers and engineers to function at internationally approved standards. Only the basic level training is done in keeping with the Convention.
However, the issuance of the certification is based on the approval of a Maritime Administration of a country that is on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) White List, relative to compliance with the standards outlined in the Convention (STCW 95).
As Minister with responsibility for maritime transport, I recognize the need for Guyana to make greater provision for the certification of its seafarers. In the 1970s, Guyana was arguably the lead maritime nation in the Caribbean.
Our Coastal Masters, those with the Home Trade Certification and International Certification were in high demand throughout the Region. This trend has changed rapidly. As a result, I have held discussion with MARAD with a view to exploring possible avenues for Guyana to acquire White Listed Status with the IMO.
Further, Guyana operates a shipping registry. Therefore, it is expected that the vessels which fly the Guyana flag would be manned by Guyanese seafarers. However, for our seafarers to be in a position to benefit from these opportunities, they must be adequately and appropriately trained and certified.
I am also advised that the Caribbean Maritime Institute in Jamaica collaborates with our local institutions to offer specialized training. At the international level, there is the World Maritime University in Malmo Sweden and the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta where some of our maritime personnel have been trained. However, there has been a great lapse with regard to continuous training.
This situation would be addressed through a well-developed programme aimed at improving the competencies of persons operating in the Ports and Shipping Industry of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Clearly, there could be no substitute for a well-trained and efficient work force.
Therefore, I feel compelled on this occasion of World Maritime Day 2015 to charge all stakeholders within the maritime industry of Guyana to collaborate with MARAD in working towards the harmonization of the applicable laws and international standards and practices; and to promote training initiatives which will enable maritime workers to become more equipped and better certified to perform their respective mandates and to confront the many challenges faced in the industry.
May this day be observed with purpose and commitment on everyone involved, and may this industry be transformed to the higher standards.
Happy World Maritime Day!
KINGSTON - A substantive Director General (DG) for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will be named subsequent to the reconfiguration and reintroduction of the GCAA’s Board, announced Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at a recent press conference.
Chaitrani Heeralall, the Authority’s Air Navigation Services Director, is acting in the position for the past three and a half months.
“The appointment of members to the agencies’ Boards, under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, should be publicized in early October. Nominees were already submitted by the respective agencies,” Hon. Ferguson told reporters.
Identifying a DG will be on top of the list for the new GCAA board, the Minister added.
“And one of the pressing issues to be addressed by the appointed DG will be the appointment of Air Traffic Controllers, who made submissions about lack of appointments over the past eight years,” Minister Ferguson indicated.
Four internal applicants were interviewed for the post; however the appointment was stalled due to the dissolution of the Board.
KINGSTON - A fresh approach is being taken as the Government looks at the rehabilitation of the stellings across the country, starting with the Bartica Ferry Stelling.
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, in a recent interview indicated that in the 21st century, the country cannot just have ‘a stelling for a ferry.’
He explained that in every community, the waterfront is the prime spot; therefore, more emphasis should be placed on ensuring that the stelling will be transformed, in keeping with the ‘soon to be’ conferred status of township for Bartica.
“You can have commercial and social areas in it, a restaurant and other attractions. We are not just fixing a few boards, we are actually working to a plan, so when Bartica becomes a town, you can step off the ferry or a speedboat, you step off into a town, into a commercial zone, a social zone,” Minister Patterson said.
Towards this end, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), the agency with responsibility for stellings, was asked to be innovative when doing the rehabilitative works on the stelling.
The rehabilitation of the Bartica Stelling is seen by Minister Patterson as the perfect opportunity to redesign the future of Guyana, bringing it in tandem with the development that is likely to be seen over the coming years.
The 2015 National Budget has allocated $50M for the rehabilitation of stellings, and Bartica, Parika and Leguan among others will soon benefit. (GINA)
KINGSTON - Approximately 80 percent of the Ituni/Kwakwani road, Region 10 is in good condition and shortly the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) will commence ‘grading and shaping’ to make it more favorable for users.
Copious heavy duty vehicles traverse the road on a daily basis.
A team of Engineers, headed by Coordinator of Works Services Group (WSG), Geoffrey Vaughn, carried out an inspection of the road last Friday, September 18, 2015.
According to Mr. Vaughn, at least six culverts will be installed along deteriorating sections to improve drainage, as well as, grading and shaping.
Nonetheless, the team will go back to the drawing board and come up with a feasible design for the road that will endure the weather and heavy traffic. Once the design is approved, Mr. Vaugh stated, works on the road will begin in 2016.
The team also inspected the Tacama Bridge, which is in “fairly good condition.”
KINGSTON - The ferry that plies the Moleson Creek to Nickerie, Suriname recorded a 43 percent hike in passenger movement for August, Canawaima’s Ferry Service monthly report reveals.
The ferry operates two return trips daily.
According to the report, 16,508 passengers travelled between the two ports, as against 11,519 in July - an increase of 4,989 or 43 percent. Incoming passengers were 8,413, while outgoing totaled 8,095.
Meanwhile, 827 vehicles entered Guyana, and 779 departed for Suriname for the said month.
