KINGSTON - Water is receding off the land in River View and parts of Alexander Village following a mishap with the Ruimveldt sluice door, which resulted in flooding earlier this morning.
The sluice was scheduled to close at 2 am, August 18, ahead of the 5:45 am high tide. However, the sluice door got stuck, causing the rising water to inundate the two communities.
A pump was immediately activated, and the sluice was reopened at 9:30 to expedite the draining off of the water.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure offered expert advice to correct the situation.
The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is investigating the matter.
KINGSTON - Today, August 18, 2015 marked the second day of budget debates at Parliament Building and saw Hon. Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure making her debut speech.
Thank you Mr. Speaker! I wish to offer you warmest congratulations on your ascension to the Office of Speaker of the National Assembly.
I rise in this august House to add my contribution and give my support to Budget 2015, under the theme “A Fresh Approach to the Good Life in a Green Economy” .
Mr. Speaker, I would like to first extend congratulations, to the Hon. Minister of Finance Mr. Winston Jordan for a well-crafted and comprehensive inaugural budget presentation which will inject G$221 into the economic vein of this dear land of ours.
I would also like to commend my colleagues in Government and the Cabinet for their efforts, energies and co-operation to realise Budget, 2015 within four months. Indeed it is a people’s budget.
Last but not least Mr. Speaker, I would like to publicly, express thanks to His Excellency, the President, Brig. David Arthur Granger and other senior members/Colleagues of Government for bestowing upon me the honour of service at the level of Central Government. Indeed, I stand here today, the embodiment of this APNU/AFC government’s trust and confidence in the young people of this our dear land.
Sir, I wish to assure that, with God’s Guidance and wisdom, I will serve the Guyanese people with pride and distinction.
Mr Speaker, the theme for this year’s budget is an apt starting point for the enactment of the vision of a green economy, of this APNU/AFC Government.
As quoted, from one of his Excellency’s writings, ONE Nation - A Good Life for all Guyanese, Under Human Development Crisis, paragraph 1, when he said, and I quote:
“Guyana is facing a human development crisis as a result of the PPP/C’s CHRONIC Maladministration. Public protests have become the visible and voluble expression of resistance against the PPP/C’s, mismanagement of public health, public security, public works and public education system. Guyana, in the new millennium, has become more unsafe and more unstable than, ever before owing to the high rate of crime and low quality of life.”
This crisis is what guides us in the development of policies, programmes and projects for all. We have to correct and analyse current projects, and recreate and develop innovative responses.
Infrastructure, by its very nature, Mr. Speaker, is dynamic and responsive. But that is postulated on the position that you have something to respond to, a framework so to speak that encapsulates the very philosophy of your development thrust. Sadly, in the past, such basics were not adhered to. Instead we have had the pseudo-development of policies, weak-kneed and half-hearted responses that seemed more geared towards short-term achievements. At this juncture though, we cannot focus on the past. We need to marshal our resources, both human and technical to ensuring a better quality of life for all.
Mr. Speaker, infrastructure is too pivotal a sector to be left chance. Indeed it is the chief enabler of development. Its role span from ensuring that businesses have the necessary foundations upon which to build the economy, and that people have various amenities for the good life to ensuring.
As such, emphasis must be placed on creating the infrastructure that connects our people, and changing the existing access points by developing new roads into the hinterlands, by creating enabling infrastructure for new industrial, residential and agricultural communes.
This has to be augmented with studied approaches to harmonising our Port Authorities, ensuring Strategic Plans are in place for all of our Agencies, developing Business Plans and having a cohesive, well-developed overarching National Infrastructure Development Plan for Guyana.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure will create and table in the National Assembly a State of Infrastructure Report at its earliest opportunity. This Report will set out the state of existing infrastructure and will also delineate critical responses to ensuring longevity, connectivity and value. No more will we be doing things over and over again, but will in a systemic manner consult with local stakeholders, craft long term responses and create interventions that will redound to the benefit of all.
Mr. Speaker, I now turn my attention to some of the agencies under my remit. I am compelled to put on record Mr. Speaker, that in the two months, three weeks since I have assumed ministerial responsibility for these agencies, I am appalled at the level of neglect and mismanagement of these agencies by the previous administration.
Mr. Speaker, allow me first to examine and give an overview of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the GCAA.
The GCAA is the regulatory body, vested by statute with the responsibility of regulating the civil aviation sector in Guyana.
The agency was established to better enable Guyana to fulfil its obligation as a signatory to the International Convention on Civil Aviation, Commonly referred to as the Chicago Convention.
Unfortunately Mr. Speaker, this agency has not been able to fully realise its mandate. Since I as Minister was assigned responsibility for the GCAA, I observed that this critical organisation has been plagued by a number of problems, including poor management and a lack of competent and qualified technical personnel.
Guyana, which falls under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) South America office, suffers the indignity of having the lowest level of effective implementation of the standards and recommended practices established to ensure the safe and orderly development of Civil Aviation in the South America Region. A Paltry 44 percent Mr. Speaker, 44 percent! The regional average stands above 70 percent Mr. Speaker.
This has been the position for the last 8 years, Mr. Speaker, 8 years. Time and again, officials from the International Civl Aviation Organization (ICAO) would have expressed their concerns to the previous administration.
But no longer Mr. Speaker. I as Minister will ensure that this embarrassing state of affairs ceases to exist!
Mr. Speaker, our government understands the benefits of Guyana to obtain an FAA/IASA Category 1 rating and as such will spare no effort in ensuring that Guyana is able to attain same in the shortest time possible.
Under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) determines whether another Country’s Oversight of its air carriers that operate, or seek to operate into the U.S. or code share with a US air carrier complies with Safety Standards established by the ICAO.
Specifically, Mr. Speaker, the Assessment Performance Programme focuses on a county’s ability, not the ability of individual air carriers to adhere to International Aviation Safety Standards and Recommended Practices.
Mr. Speaker, in order to realise our objectives in this important endeavour, emphasis must be placed on the recruitment of qualified and competent technical personnel for the GCAA. We must ensure Mr. Speaker, that the Authority is staffed with the required number of inspectorate staff, particularly in the areas of Flight Operations and Airworthiness.
Mr. Speaker, the GCAA is vested with a dual role, that of Regulator and Service provider. Specifically, Mr. Speaker, I would like to turn our attention to the provision of air navigation Services in Guyana.
The introduction of the use of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast System (ADS-B), to enhance aeronautical surveillance, is a worthwhile initiative commenced by the GCAA and one which I as Minister, intend to fully support.
Mr. Speaker, recognising the indispensability of Civil Aviation to the growth and development of Guyana, the budgetary allocations in Budget 2015 will be put towards institutional strengthening, to ensure a well-equipped GCAA, one which is able to carry out its mandate and thereby facilitate the development of the aviation sector. The APNU/AFC government has no intention, Mr. Speaker, of shirking its responsibilities on delivering on the promises made to the people of Guyana. I recall that in the APNU/AFC Manifesto we promised that in terms of the Maritime & Aviation Sectors to ensure that the legal and regulatory framework would be examined to ensure that these sectors are properly constituted and equipped to meaningfully contribute to the growth and development of the Guyanese economy. In this regard Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that I will shortly be seeking to pilot through the National Assembly, a Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, which Bill seeks to make critical changes to the current regulatory framework for civil aviation in Guyana geared at ensuring a robust, responsive framework.
Mr. Speaker, I expect as well, that shortly, industry consultations on a new set of operating regulations will commence.
Mr. Speaker, I now turn my attention to the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation is a floating steel structure which is 6,074ft in length (1851.4m) and spans the Demerara River from Peter’s Hall on the East to, Plantation Meer-Zorgen on the West.
Mr. Speaker the accounts /financial Statements for D.H.B.C. for the years ending 31st December ,2011 and 2012 respectively were laid In the National Assembly in July,2015.
The Financial Statements for the year ending 31st December, 2013 has been submitted to the Audit Office for Auditing.
Mr. Speaker, the projected Sum to be spent on Capital Works for the D.H.B in this four months period is $ 90 M.
This sum will facilitate extensive rehabilitation work. Mr. Speaker, the Construction of a new crossing between the eastern and western Banks of the Demerara River is a priority for our government.
It might be recalled that under the previous administration through NICIL, an “Expression of Interest”process using the Public Private Partnership Model was initiated.
Sir, I can assure you that this new Administration in its pursuit to construct a new crossing will be developing a more creative and cost effective model, to construct a new fixed bridge across the Demerara as indicated by the Finance Minister, Hon. Winston Jordan. This will be done with the involvement and consultation of the appropriate agencies and stakeholders, hence the Theme: “A Fresh Approach”.
The Asphalt Plant, which is now under the Management of the D.H.B.C. in 2014, produced a total of 48,408.88 tons asphaltic Concrete.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation has recently acquired a new Mobile Asphalt Plant which would assist greatly in enhancing productivity and support the Government’s intensive road rehabilitation programme not only in Georgetown, but in the rural areas.
Mr. Speaker, under the previous administration the Transport & Harbours Department, sadly, was reduced to a mendicant state, from a profitable department to one dependent on handouts. There has been a systemic decimation of capital forming assets.
There have been no increases in rates for the last ten or more years, whilst simultaneously the already beleaguered T&HD is saddled with two other vessels whose only distinction is drinking fuel and increasing costs.
Mr. Speaker, this situation cannot be allowed to continue!
It is time to acquire an efficient, proper, cost effective fleet to service the Transport and Harbours Department, and it is to this, Mr. Speaker that this government will concentrate its energies.
For the past 10 years the previous administration injected one billion, eight hundred and twenty eight million dollars in a failed policy of repairs, on vessels each over 50 years old which take on a trip from Parika to Bartica over 5 hours, depending on tide condition, whilst failing to retool critical income generating sources of revenue such as the dockyard at Mazaruni and the Central Workshop, both of which can service the existing fleet and provide repairs and other services to sister agencies such as the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Ironically, some contractors use the very drydock facilities, with some of their equipment, to effect repairs to vessels for T&HD costing hundreds of millions.
In similar cavalier fashion, Mr. Speaker, the then Minister of Public Works halted the operations of the Transports Sports Club which was not only income generating but also provided much needed recreation and social space for employees of the T&HD.
Mr. Speaker the need to address the total welfare of our human resources was clearly lost on the previous administration. Mr. Speaker, I was appalled to see the working conditions and environment under which staff of the T&HD was expected to perform and produce!
We cannot allow these types of situations to continue Mr. Speaker!!
We would embark on a programme to ensure that the Transport & Harbours Department becomes a viable, well-coordinated entity, able to support the developmental thrust of this APNU/AFC Government!!!
This Programme, Mr. Speaker, envisages the phased development of critical infrastructure, supported by a sensible repair and maintenance scheme, geared towards ensuring the solvency of the Department. Further, we will ensure that the establishment of the Advisory Council, as contemplated under Section 5 of the Transport & Harbours Act Chapter 49:04, is given priority. Instead of casting persons with institutional knowledge aside, we will utilize their energies and expertise to lift the Department to stardom!!
Mr. Speaker, this budget also seeks to find synergies between the various agencies. The Works Services Group, which will be dealt with more extensively by the Hon. Minister Paterson in his presentation, will ensure that our roads, bridges and sea defenses are optimally advanced, taking into consideration proper checks and balances to ensure value for money.
Our Force Accounts Unit, as you are by now aware, is going through a systemic resurfacing of most of the streets in Georgetown and the region, and with the full commissioning of the Mobile Asphalt Plant, will be going into the various regions to deliver these critical services. Indeed, they will be equipped and provided with the requisite machinery, equipment and personnel to ensure that they can deliver quality works as we build on their internal, self-sufficient capacity.
No more patches for the eyesores we call our streets. We can and must build in-house capacity to deliver services in a more responsive, time bound fashion, instead of farming out contracts right, left and Jagdeo to sycophants and cronies.
Additionally, the programmes and projects of the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc., which is tasked with ensuring the necessary energy infrastructure is in place for persons utilizing services in the Interiors of Guyana, will be expanded to include not just the 6000 households that were given access to power via solar panels, but also ensure that schools, community centers, health clinics and other development nodes are given access to increased power supply through the creation of Energy Hubs for Development. These nodes will facilitate access to ICT, further processing and other services of like kind. We also need to be maintaining and replacing components over their critical life.
Mr. Speaker, we will also develop mini and macro hydroelectric facilities to capture the latent energy running in our numerous rivers and falls such as Kato, Tumatumari, Wamakaru, Moco Moco. These are all initiatives that we are proposing to secure and preserve our common energy future, and for which we seek broad based consensus.
Mr. Speaker, time will not permit me to elaborate on the woes facing the Guyana Post Office Corporation, nor the state of its infrastructure. Suffice it to say that we are in the process of crafting a Strategic Plan to take that Agency into full service mode utilizing all of the available technology, coupled with unique financial services provision. Monthly, the Post Offices pay out billions of dollars on behalf of other state Agencies and receive little value for services. We will ensure that we revisit some of these arrangements and come up with creative strategies for sustainability, utilizing its physical presence in various parts of the country.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, I am compelled to point out that the measures outlined in the 2015 budget, are geared towards rooting out endemic inefficiencies, building staff and organizational morale, improving infrastructure and capabilities and catapulting these agencies into increased productivity and profitability.
We can and we must develop public service institutions with creative approaches encapsulated in the tenets of a New Public Management System. Everything must make economic and social sense.
No longer can we afford to plod along, no longer can we leave development to chance! No longer can we hope to create change by muddling around.
Rather, we as a government must be responsible, change-oriented, development conscious and purpose driven to ensure that the Guyanese people are the beneficiaries of all that a productive and prosperous Guyana has to offer!
In short Mr. Speaker, no more campaign roads, no more half-baked, bird brained responses to crises, no more sacrificing the Guyanese people on the altar of personal aggrandizement. No more!
It is time to create a prosperous Guyana. It is time we realise our common destiny. It is time we walk hand in hand with those who want to walk with us.
Be assured Mr. Speaker, Guyana will advance, a stronger, resilient and purposeful nation. She will be endued with the latitude to breathe again, she will survive and thrive. Naysayers notwithstanding. It is to this that we commit ourselves as a government and it is to this that we pledge our lives!!
Mr. Speaker, I thank you!!!
Mr. Bharat Dindyal, who served as Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has been formally advised that a decision has been taken that his engagement with the company will conclude effective 16:00hrs today, Friday August, 14.
Following are the pertinent facts:
1. Mr. Dindyal’s substantive contract came to an end on December 31, 2014.
2. There was no renewal of Mr. Dindyal’s contract.
3. Mr. Dindyal continued to serve as GPL CEO based on what was described as “an understanding” between himself and the previous subject minister, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
4. No written documentation has been provided with regard to this “understanding”.
5. Based on information provided this “understanding” was apparently for a six month period which commenced on January 1, 2015 and concluded on June 30, 2015.
6. Mr. Dindyal communicated to new subject Minister, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson that he intended to part ways with GPL but was prepared to remain as CEO for an interim transition period.
Minister Patterson, having thoroughly examined these pertinent facts along with Mr. Dindyal’s intervention in matters relating to staff (some of which was video recorded and has been extensively viewed on social media) and his own performance appraisal and other relevant information, last evening advised Cabinet of the decision to conclude Mr. Dindyal’s engagement with GPL.
A subsequent announcement will be made with regard to the plan relating to the administrative leadership of GPL.
KINGSTON - The multi-disciplinary Task Force that was formed by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, yesterday held its first meeting in the conference room of the Guyana Forestry Commission.
More than fifty persons including technical personnel, representatives of the private sector and the diplomatic community attended.
Presented under the theme “Project Restore Guyana”, Chairman of the Task Force, Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh, outlined the situation that warranted bringing together of such a team; the objectives that are to be fulfilled with their timelines and; the work which has to be completed.
Singh said that though there are many failures which have led to the current state of Guyana, the task force should work to inspire the next generation as the change starts with them collectively and individually.
He said there is a lot of work to be done with a tight timeline and as such identities and past failures should be put aside to ensure Guyana is restored to a country of which every Guyanese can be proud.
The following persons were identified as Committee heads and conveners, to steer the work of various committees which were established: Fredrick Flatts- Drainage, Gordon Gilkes- Solid Waste, Damion Fernandes- Total renewal, Donna Short-Gill- Management of the homeless, and Alex Graham- Public Consultations.
The overarching vision of the team is to have a rehabilitated, restored and renewed Guyana where civic pride is restored, where all Guyanese can enjoy a good life and where the country is seen as a hub for commerce, tourism and development.
The mission objectives of the varying committees of the Task Force, are as follows:
Area
Problem
Mission
Drainage
Lack of maintenance on sluices and outfalls along with alleyways, main and lateral drains and drainage canals are blocked by heavy vegetation and solid waste affects the efficient draining of the city and six towns which drain into the Atlantic Ocean
To develop a drainage mechanism that effectively drains the country during periods of heavy rainfall, reducing the obstructions to economic activity as well as the health and livelihood of citizens
Solid Waste Management
Solid waste being a by-product of modern living seems to be a monumental problem in almost every Guyanese community
To recommend well-developed ‘best practices’ in the area of solid waste management which can be employed across Guyana. These will include: predictable garbage collection, recycling. Conversion of organic waste into compos & removal of derelict vehicles.
Traffic Management
An increase in the number of commercial and personal vehicles over the years has rendered Guyana’s road network inadequate.
To recommend actions to address road safety, traffic congestion and lack of parking, and to expand the road network while introducing/maintaining sustainability
Sustainable Urban, Rural & Hinterland Physical Renewal
Countrywide decay is visible in many areas of the country with poor quality of buildings, national monuments and public spaces, the lack of proper maintenance along with insufficient space to respond to growing social demands( in particular space for green areas) have degraded living conditions.
To recommend : a more balanced national structure that is less environmentally demanding, systems of enforcement against the use of non-environmentally friendly pesticides; and identification of national heritage buildings & sites for preservation.
Welfare Management of the homeless, addicted and mentally challenged as they are encountered in other goals
To recommend actions to address the issue of the homeless and addicted in cases where they affect the implementation of the other goals.
KINGSTON - EXIM Bank of China officials paid a courtesy on David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure yesterday, August 12, 2015 at his Wight’s Lane office.
Among the topics discussed was the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. The bank is lending US $138M towards the project.
The Minister expressed a desire to have the works completed by the second quarter of 2017 and commended the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for making the necessary compromises to ensure the project is completed.
KINGSTON - Thirty two boat operators from the Parika/Bartica service benefitted from basic first aid training which was held in Region Seven (7) Bartica on July 25, 2015.
This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Reliance Health Care Group Inc. with the objective being to equip all boat operators throughout Guyana with first aid training.
Regional Chairman of Region Seven (7) Gordon Bradford said he is happy that this initiative was taken which makes boat operators in the area equipped with the basic first aid skills in the event of an emergency while traversing the waterways. He is also looking forward to have operators who traverse the interior region to be trained as well.
First Aid training for boat operators began in February 2015 and so far over one hundred and sixty (160) operators from the Georgetown/Vreed-en-Hoop service have completed this training.
In addition, one hundred and twenty eight (128) boat operators from the Parika/Supenaam service also befitted and completed similar training in March 2015.
MARAD will continue with its effort of promoting safety on the waterways and ensuring all boat operators throughout the country are equipped with the basic first aid skills to deal effectively with passengers whenever the need arises.
KINGSTON - The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) held a training session for its junior staff at the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Sports Club on July 15, 2015, as a step towards performance improvement in the work environment.
A total of sixty nine (69) persons participated in the one day session. Those in attendance were staff from MARAD – Ports and Harbours Division, the Transport and Harbours Department, and the Georgetown Lighthouse.
The two presenters were renowned Author, Poet, and Motivational Speaker, Dr. Astell Collins, and, Entrepreneur and Performance Enhancement Specialist, Kezqueyah Yisrael.
Some of the topics covered by Dr. Collins were ‘Six Ethics of Life’ and ‘What Defines You’, meanwhile, Yisrael, dealt with topics such as, ‘Habits and Traits of the highly successful’ and ‘Enhancing Self Esteem’.
MARAD has taken the initiative to have training sessions of this nature on a quarterly basis for both junior and senior staff as the Department seek to improve the personal and professional life of employees.hyu
KINGSTON - Government plans to spend $13 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across Guyana.
This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordon, who made the revelation during his presentation of Budget 2015 on Monday, August 10, 2015. "...in 2015, the sum of $13 billion has been allocated for the enhancing of roads and bridges throughout Guyana," he said. $1.6 billion of this amount, said Jordon, will go toward the "upgrading of the Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue Road, making it a modern thoroughfare." This initiative, he said will create an efficient link between the East Coast Demerara (ECD) highway to the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Highway.
Jordon also shared intentions to construct a road from between Parika and Goshen, thus providing and additional route to Bartica.
He said "We will construct a road-link between Parika and Goshen that will provide an alternative access route to Bartica."
Those two projects were conceptualized and initiated by the former administration; the Parika to Goshen road dating back to the 1960s.
The amount also includes an allocation of $1.2 billion for the completion of the EBD highway toward improving transit between Providence and Diamond. Actual work in this project got underway in March of 2013 though the agreements signed in 2011 stipulated that works were to be completed in March 2013. The project is the product of a joint initiative between the former administration and the Inter-American Development Bank. The initial cost for the project was US$17 million. As the project has been delayed by several years, however, it is not certain what the actual cost is.
Jordon also spoke of intentions to create a bypass road linking Diamond, EBD to Ogle, ECD. This initiative is being undertaken, he said, for several reasons, including to open up "a modern housing scheme for 1100 households while creating new jobs for Guyanese."
He said that the road itself will serve as a more efficient link between the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Ogle International Airport OIA. Further, Winston said that nearly $400 million "will be invested to upgrade the Sophia Ring Road to link the Sheriff Street-Mandela Avenue urban development to peri-urban communities."
Also, $544 million will go toward upgrading community road and bridges throughout Guyana's Ten (10) Administrative Regions.
"Similarly, the provision of 1.2 billion has been...to upgrade more than 28 kilometers of road-to-market access-roads and bridges located in Laluni, Onverwagt, Parkia Ruby Backdams."
Government is also proposing to "construct all-weather roads in Regions 7 and 9" toward "exploiting our natural resources; and upgrade internal roads in the proposed new towns of Bartica, Mahdia and Mabaruma." Jordon mentioned that studies are ongoing toward finally constructing a road from Linden to Lethem, thus connecting "our most remote locations with those on the coast."
KINGSTON - A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Trinidad to facilitate hassle free travel for Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) passengers transiting in the twin island republic took effect from August 5, 2015.
The arrangement captured in the MoU is commonly referred to as the “One-Stop” security arrangement for screening of transit and transfer passengers. It is one of the mechanisms that are being encouraged by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
According to Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, the general intent is to significantly improve the efficiency of air travel and place less burden on security screening checkpoints.
“The One Stop Security Screening will allow for transfer and transit passengers to deplane at Piarco International (or CJIA) be directed to the departure lounge and await boarding of their connecting flights without being subjected to further security screening at the main security check-points. It will also eliminate or avoid the inconvenience of remaining on board an aircraft for a lengthy period before its departure,” she stated.
Hon. Ferguson indicated that this is one of many initiatives that will seek to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and T&T who she deemed has made significant strides in aviation.
The Government of Guyana will also seek to engage similar arrangements with other regional counterparts such as Barbados and Suriname. However, in order to ensure the sustainability of this initiative, Minister emphasized, that the security systems and standards at both airports must function at the highest level.
US-TSA/CASSOS Seminar
Meanwhile in late July, Minister Ferguson headed a small delegation to Trinidad for a two day “Insider Threat” seminar hosted by the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) and the US-Transportation Security Administration (US-TSA).
The seminar saw the attendance of several high level officials which included Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Director Generals, and Aviation Professionals from countries within the Caribbean, and the North and South American region such as USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname, Curacao, and Haiti. Also in attendance were representatives of key stakeholders such as LIAT, Caribbean Airlines Ltd. (CAL), JetBlue, and Piarco International Airport.
Participants of the seminar were introduced and sensitized to new and emerging threats which can adversely affect civil international aviation operations within the region. Of particular interest were insider threats which can evolve from amongst persons or employees within the various organizations operating within the aviation sector particularly within the environments of the international airports; and which can challenge current aviation security systems.
Furthermore, participants have committed to develop and implement appropriate measures and policies that will seek to maintain and safeguard civil aviation operations from such threats. This will entail making improvements to the screening and verification process for existing employees, applicants, and new recruits that are employed in the aviation sector.
Minister Ferguson has echoed similar views in which she has given her commitment to ensuring that Guyana implements the appropriate measures that will ensure ICAO’s compliance and prevent or mitigate against new and emerging threats to Civil Aviation operations in Guyana.
CASSOS and the US-TSA are planning to have follow-up workshops and discussions with the various national authorities so that this growing area of concern can be diligently address.
KINGSTON - Aerswar Deonarine, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO Administration) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), is currently seeking time to repay the $27M, which was transferred from the PetroCaribe fund to his personal bank account.
This information was revealed during a press conference hosted by the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, in the boardroom of his Ministry.
“ I am aware that a letter was sent in by the DCEO. He wrote the letter saying he does not believe his actions were wrong. However, he will refund the money, but is requesting some time, because the cash was transferred to his United States (US) account,” Patterson informed the media.
Minister Patterson indicated that the forensic audit into the financial affairs of GPL had concluded, and the files were sent to the Ministry of Public Security and the Attorney General, who, after a review of the findings, will advise on the way forward.
In late July, a forensic audit revealed that $28.748M was transferred from the PetroCaribe Fund into the personal accounts of FITUG President Carvil Duncan and Deonarine, with $27.8M going to Deonarine’s account and $948,000 to Duncan’s.
