KINGSTON - Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, at a press conference yesterday - September 7, said that the Ministry’s Force Account Unit will soon be strengthened with an increase of personnel and the addition of equipment.
The Minister was responding to a question which sought to ascertain the Ministry’s plan to ensure quality work from contractors, in light of the numerous infrastructure projects that will soon commence. Minister Ferguson explained that the rehabilitation works recently executed on a number of roads in and around Georgetown, along with work on the road leading into the new Giftland Mall at Liliendaal, were all done by the Force Account Unit. Ferguson said that with the strengthening of the unit, the Ministry will be better positioned to execute road works, which means rather than tendering out the contracts, the Unit can execute works, thereby ensuring better value for taxpayers’ money. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, making his contribution, explained that a request was already made to increase technical staff at the Ministry. He added that, with increased technical staff a minimum of two engineers will be placed in each region to supervise the implementation of a number of infrastructural projects. They will also lend their technical skill to supervising works that will be executed by the region.
KINGSTON - The Berbice Chambers are calling for a review of the agreement with the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. this came out when Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and 2nd Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan met yesterday with representatives of the various Chambers of Commerce in Berbice. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson was also at the meeting.
The meeting with representatives from the Upper Corentyne Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UCCCI); West Berbice Chamber of Industry & Commerce (WBCIC); Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCC&DA) provided the opportunity for the government to inform businesses in the Region on the status of negotiations with the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) and the intended implementation of water taxis.
Minister Patterson informed the Chambers that the government made approaches to the Management of the BBCI, to reduce the tolls by $300 for motor vehicles, and ten percent on other vehicles, in lieu of a subsidy. The subsidy was planned to increase yearly, as it was the Administration’s intention to reduce the tolls at the bridge every year bringing it to an acceptable rate for commuters.
“Today the discussion is not moving apace, because the BBCI put up a position that there were other issues they want discussed first, such as an extension of the concession period, fee increase and so on,” Patterson told the representatives of the Chambers.
He added that, although the Administration indicated its willingness to pursue talks on the matters of concern to BBCI, the company continue to hold the commuters to ransom.
During the interaction, members of the Chambers of Commerce revealed that businesses moving large goods and lumber were affected by an unfair implementation of charges by the Bridge Company. Patterson posited that such a practice does not augur well for business.
Additionally, a faulty scale saw persons paying in excess of US$300 to ship goods from Crabwood Creek to Georgetown. This increased transportation costs thereby causing the businesses to lose their competitive edge.
Representatives from the Berbice Chambers of Commerce recommended that the government scrutinize the entire agreement with a view to make necessary amendments. Further, tolls should be reduced to $1500 for motor cars.
Patterson indicated that amending the contract would mean that Government would have to exercise its power on the Bridge Company, a thing that the Administration is not keen on, as it sends the wrong impression to potential investors. “We intend to stand on the agreement made, and work within its confines. Also, to further negotiations with management (of the Bridge), to arrive an agreement,” Patterson told the Chambers.
Other recommendations made by the Chambers of Commerce are; to extend the concession offered for the elderly and school children to include nurses and teachers, to implement a shuttle bus service system, and to review the financial model of the agreement to ascertain whether or not it is feasible to increase the concessionary period and simultaneously reduce the tolls.
The meeting ended in consensus on the implementation of the water-taxi service. Minister Patterson indicated that the implementation is an opportunity for entrepreneurs in the area to earn a living. He added that while he can utilize available vessels under his command, he prefers the entrepreneurs from Regions Five and Six to provide the service.
KINGSTON - Preparations are in full swing to transform Mahdia, a hinterland mining community located in Region Eight, to a town.
On Saturday, a team comprising Ministers of Communities and Public Infrastructure, Ronald Bulkan and David Patterson respectively, APNU+AFC Parliamentarian Gloria Bancroft and engineers of the two Ministries visited the community.
During an interactive meeting with residents and Regional Officials including Regional Chairman Bonaventure Fredericks at the Mahdia Community Centre, the Ministers reaffirmed Government’s commitment of developing Mahdia to offer citizens a good life. All developmental works that would be executed in the community would be done in consultation with the RDC.
The fresh approach
The APNU+AFC Coalition Government has resuscitated good governance in Region Eight with the restoration of respect for the Offices of the Regional Chairman and other elected officials. Minister Bulkan was firm that the Regional Executive Officer is not the head of the Region but a public servant, who is there to serve the RDC.
He emphasized that Guyana’s Constitution provides for 81 Local Governments but were in breach for many years. One example is, in 2011 when the then government did not win Region Eight at the General and Regional Elections the government appointed REO on many occasions did not cooperate with the RDC.
The Minister emphasized that this fresh approach is a fulfillment of one of Government’s many promises of transforming Guyana when it was in the Opposition benches in the Tenth Parliament and on the 2015 General and Regional campaign trail.
According to the Regional Chairman, Bonaventure Fredericks, the walk to developing Mahdia and the entire Region would not be an easy task unless everyone works together. He related that the REO has been co-operative.
Change
Residents expressed their satisfaction that there is new Government with a resounding warm welcome. While, the residents are cognizant that the ANPU+AFC Coalition Government is now implementing its policies and programmes they are dissatisfied that many seemingly corrupt officers are still working in the Region.
The residents, who were extremely vocal, identified several persons who they believe are corrupt and should be fired if indeed this new Government would tackle corruption and give citizens the good life.
Minister Patterson is of the view that those public officers who serve in a district for a number of years should be rotated.
Infrastructural development
The transformation of Mahdia into a town would require significant infrastructure development. Minister Patterson announced that Government will be paving all internal roads in Mahdia and the road leading from the airstrip to the community. Additionally, consideration is being made to pave the airstrip.
This revelation was greeted with loud applauds from the residents, who complained about the deplorable roads for a number of years. However, a resident pointed out that Government needs to fix the water network before it could pave the roads.
Minister Patterson agreed with that suggestion and pointed out that fixing Mahdia and surrounding communities’ water woes is a priority that is currently being examined.
Prior to attending the meeting, the Ministers, engineers, Fredericks and the REO visited the Salbora Creek, which is the main source of water supply in the area. The team also inspected the distribution pipelines leading from the creek to Mahdia to ascertain why the community is constantly faced with low water pressure. It was observed that there are several leakages, illegal connections and silt in the pipelines.
To ensure that quality infrastructural upgrading works will be executed the Ministry of Public Infrastructure would be stationing two of its engineers in the Region. In fact, this would be the case for every Region across Guyana. This announcement was also met with appreciation by the people.
Mining
Mining is the major economic activity in Mahdia and is regarded as the backbone of the community. However, miners are faced with many challenges and are asking for Government’s swift intervention. Residents explained that the former administration has left a gap in the mining sector for corruption to fester.
Offering an example of one of their many challenges a resident said, “Let’s just say a man own a claim in the 1980s and some persons get permission from him to bore a hole as soon as that happen a man come and say he own the bloc in 1999. Now, how can a man own something that another man already own since in the 80s?”
Another challenge in the mining sector is access to lands. According to a resident, the current system that is being utilized by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission is not designed for the poor man or small miner.
The resident pointed out that he had gotten a block a year or so ago from GGMC to mine. However, he had difficulty in locating the block which forced him to return the block to the Commission. Subsequently, a big businessman was given the same block by GGMC and was able to locate same.
Mahdia Power and Light
Residents are not taken lightly the fact that they are paying the highest per kilowatt in the country. Having noted the concerns of the residents, Minister Patterson said that the Government will be working with the power company to see how residents could get a better supply of electricity at a lower cost.
Minister Bulkan pointed out that the Tumatumari hydro power plant is being rehabilitated by a private company and when completed residents would be able to access electricity for half the current price being paid.
Education
Residents are calling for the equitable distribution of resources in the education system in Region Eight. They believe that the former government deliberately sidelined the delivery of quality education in Mahdia and neighbouring communities to benefit other communities.
However, they are demanding that this Government provide the necessary resources including qualified trained teachers in the school system. They are disheartened that Mahdia Primary School was unable to produce students with high scores in the National Grade Six Assessment.
Housing
Minister Bulkan informed residents that efforts will be made to complete infrastructure development of the housing scheme. The housing scheme was established under the former government but little efforts were made to do any infrastructural works that would enable persons to build their houses.
A resident highlighted that Mahdia needs to move away from leasing lands to land ownership. The man emphasized that if a commercial bank were to come into Mahdia it is unlikely that that company would want to lease the land.
The Ministers assured that with Government’s policy of inclusive democracy and being a Government for all Guyanese Mahdia will be transformed. They assured the residents that all matters and complaints raised at the meeting would be related to the subject Minister and Ministry for action. It will take time but the RDC will be involved and responsible for its development, Minister Bulkan said. (A Ministry of Communities release)
KINGSTON - A test run of the recently acquired mobile asphalt plant by Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) was yesterday scrutinized by David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI) and Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The mobile plant, which has the capacity to produce 25 tonnes of asphalt per hour, will be utilized in the near future to deliver asphaltic concrete of the highest quality for road works in outlying and remote communities in Guyana.
The Ministers were given a tour of the mobile plant and Garden of Eden asphalt plant by Rawlston Adams, DHBC’s General Manager and his team of Engineers.
The US $120,000 mobile plant is fully computerized, pollution control confirming to the highest environmental standards and has a mineral filler unit, the only plant with this capacity locally.
The mobile unit will allow the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to achieve its goal of having paved roads in rural and outlying areas especially in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9.
KINGSTON - The APNU+AFC government has decided to introduce a River Taxi Service for residents on the West and East Bank of Berbice, which is in direct response to the refusal of officials from the Berbice Bridge Company to reduce the tolls of the Berbice River Bridge.
Government had announced a reduced toll structure, which was slated to take effect on September 01, but the officials from the Company refused to implement it on the grounds that millions of dollars will be lost to investors and government did not consult with them.
The administration is providing a monthly subsidy to the Company to compensate for the loss, but this too was refused, resulting in a stalemate between the two sides.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told a post Cabinet media briefing on Friday, September 04, 2015 that the proposal for the river taxi was made by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and it was approved by Cabinet following “extensive” discussion. The service will cater specifically to students and the elderly population.
“Cabinet approved the establishment of a river taxi service, primarily to allow for the students and the elderly who are affected in large measure by the refusal of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc to accept the government’s proposal for a lowering of the toll,” Harmon told the news conference.
He further noted that Cabinet has mandated Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan to continue discussions with officials from the Company to ensure the reduction of the toll.
“We are of the firm belief that very soon the Bridge Company, who indicated that they had referred the matter to the shareholders of the Company, that they will see the light and agree to have the toll reduced,” the Minister of State said.
He explained that government will provide the infrastructure and the regulatory framework for the implementation of the service; there will also be a pilot project and depending on the outcome, government will authorize the use of a large number of the vessels.
He made it clear that the administration will not be providing the vessels Government will not provide the vessels and a committee, comprising of representatives from the Ministries of Education, Social Cohesion, Public Security and Public Infrastructure will travel to Berbice this weekend to put in place the necessary arrangements for the passengers.
“Our focus will be ensuring the school children and the elderly get an opportunity to cross…at a reduced cost. It is our business in government to ensure that the general public…who cannot afford higher fares, that they are given this subsidy by the State,” Harmon said.
It is not yet clear how soon this service will be implemented. (INEWS)
KINGSTON - Six pile clusters located on the southern side of the Leguan Stelling have collapsed and is currently being repaired by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD).
Emergency works will conclude tomorrow, September 4, 2015.
Captains of ferry vessels use the clusters to spring off when departing from the stelling, as such new piles are being driven in the area to facilitate the mooring and spring off process.
KINGSTON - Visits to the Lighthouse - a historic facility located in Kingston - have been temporarily suspended until corrective measures are undertaken.
Engineers from the Works Services Group have assessed the building to facilitate repairs where necessary.
The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is working in earnest to ensure the lighthouse is restored to its former glory.
KINGSTON - His Excellency, Nikolas Kotrokois, Greece’s Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, has pledged his country’s offer to render technical assistance to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), especially in the maritime sector to Guyana.
This gesture was extended by Mr. Kotrokois to Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Hon. Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry, during a courtesy call today, September 2, 2015 at their Wight’s Lane Office, Kingston.
This is the Ambassador’s first visit to Guyana.
Both Ministers expressed appreciation to the diplomat and discussed other areas of mutual interests that can benefit both countries.
According to Minister Patterson, establishing maritime links with the European country will significantly boost the local industry. “They are a maritime giant,” he added.
The last EuroBank report, 2014 stated that the Greek shipping industry has a prominent position in global maritime transports. The Greek-controlled fleet is ranked first globally regarding international merchant fleet capacities, accounting for 16.16% of the world’s total transport capacity.
KINGSTON - The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) is introducing new technical standards and wiring regulations under the Electricity Sector Reform Act (ESRA) 1999.
For the wiring of buildings, the National Electrical Code (NEC), developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of the USA, is being adopted as the standard. Prior to bringing this new standard and the associated regulations into effect, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public infrastructure, is taking further steps to introduce the NEC to key stakeholders.
Accordingly, training in the Essentials of the NEC will be conducted during the periods October 12-16 and October 19-23, 2015. The training will be conducted by the NFPA.
MPI now invites electrical contractors, engineers, lecturers and instructors to express their interest in participating in the training. Such persons can register at the address listed below for possible selection for the training:
Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. Ministry of Public Infrastructure Wight's Lane, Kingston, Georgetown. Telephone: 592 223 5206 / 592 226 3759 Email: heu@electricity.gov.gy
Persons registering should be currently active in their profession. Registration will be carried out Mondays to Fridays between 08:30 hrs. and16:30 hrs.
Registration closes on October 02, 2015.
