KINGSTON - For Selochanie Ramroop the rehabilitation of two roads in Granny Field, Cane Grove, a farming community in Mahaica (Region Four), is a welcomed changed to the deplorable roads residents were forced to traverse for close to a decade.
"It was really, really bad…"Especially where the two roads meet," the 70 year-old recalled.
Her neighbour, Bhagmattie Bhagwandeo, expressed similar sentiments.
"When it rained it was very difficult for me to walk on a mud road with very large potholes," she said. "Buses to transport our produce to the market charged a jewel and a crown."
On February 6, 2015, the main access road and Third Street were surfaced with asphaltic concrete finish. R & B Investment Contractors commenced the project on January 5, 2015.
Khiraj Bissear, an Engineer attached to the Ministry of Public Works Engineer, who monitored the rehabilitation project, said that the roads condition were raised by the residents to President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn during a visit to the community late last year.
"The area was inundated due to heavy rainfall, and His Excellency and Minister Benn got a firsthand look of the residents' plight," the Engineer disclosed.
The newly surfaced roads, he added, will provide improved transport access for farmers.
Balram Bhagwandeo, who grows bora, squash and ochro in the backlands, enthusiastically stated, "I am extremely pleased." Moments later, he rode off on his bicycle with two large bags of bora.
The two roads cost MPW GY$12.34M.
KINGSTON - The 118 year-oldMahaica Bridge will be re-openedto vehicular traffic by April month-end, according to Khiraj Bisesar, a Ministry of Public Works (MPW) Engineer, overseeing the project.
The railway structure is 175 feet long.
The GY$33.9M rehabilitation of the landmarked bridge, which connects Regions Four and Five, started in September 2014 but faced a delay due to unforeseen structural decay.
“We had anticipated a February month-end completion. However, there was structural decay not visible during our inspection. Only when the timber deckings were removed, we found a number badly deteriorated beams. Minister Benn was duly informed and an extension is being sought. It is apt to note there is no cost overrun, just an extension to complete the works,” Bisesar explained.
KB & B Contractors is executing the project.
Workers are currently removing the deckings and replacing them with re-enforced concrete. Damaged beams are being replaced, chipped and cleaned.
A pedestrian foot bridge was constructed for pedal cyclists and pedestrians.
“There is the Bygeval Secondary School on the eastern side of the bridge, and there are many individuals including students that live in Helena and other communities that find the foot bridge to be more convenient to access Mahaica,” the Engineer said.
The new US $3.5M Mahaica Bridge stretches 440 feet over the Mahaica River, and was officially opened by then President, Bharat Jagdeo, on May 26, 2005.
KINGSTON - The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in collaborating with Reliance Health Care Training Group has embarked on training boat operators throughout the country in basic first aid.
The first session was held at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club on February 8, 2015 where twenty five (25) boat operators from Georgetown- Vreed-en-Hoop service along with eight (8) Marine Cadets from MARAD were in attendance.
This training is the beginning of an initiative by MARAD to equip boat operators throughout Guyana with first aid skills. These skills will enable the operators to respond to a commuter should an emergency arise on the boat. MARAD continues with its mandate of promoting safety on the waterways.
Among the topics covered during the training session were Burns, Heart Attack, Seizures, Bleeding Injuries, Fractures, Shock, CPR, and Water Rescue.
According to Jermaine Ifill, Director and Facilitator of training from the Reliance Health Care Training Group, his Organization was pleased to collaborate with MARAD in providing this training.
The training sessions will continue every weekend at the T&HD Sports Club.
KINGSTON - Boat operators from Region Five (5) Mahaicony Creek benefitted from a training seminar organized by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) which was held at the Mahaicony Health Center on January 31, 2015.
The training seminar is part of an ongoing countrywide campaign by MARAD as it seeks to promote safety on the waterways of Guyana and especially for small boat operators.
A total of twenty (20) boat operators from the Mahaicony Creek area participated in the training session.
Safe boating practices including the importance of wearing a life jacket by passengers and operators were some of the topics presented at the seminar. Practical exercises were also conducted.
MARAD will continue to facilitate programs such as these throughout Guyana.
KINGSTON - Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said it is very cost effective to use geo-textile tubes to aid in the improvement of Guyana’s foreshores.
“We as a Government are focusing on reducing the cost for the installation sea defence structures. It is very expensive to install concrete walls,” the Minister stated during his remarks at the 5th Engineering Conference which was held under the theme ‘Defending Guyana’s development with engineering Solutions’ on February 5 at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
The Public Works Minister explained that in addition to being cheaper, the geo-textile tubes are also installed at a much faster rate when compared to concrete walls.
“When this project was first started, the workmen took about a week to install a single tube but they now take about a day and a half, depending on the tide levels,” he further explained.
He attributed the increased expertise in the installation of the tubes to the training workers received over a period of time.
The Minister also expressed satisfaction in the results received from the installation of geo-textile tubes along the foreshore of certain sections of the Georgetown seawalls.
The Minister explained that since the deterioration of the groynes from the foreshore since the 1980’s, the geo-textile tubes have thus far proven to be one of the most effective and economically viable means of protecting Guyana’s foreshore and replacing groynes.
Post-installation surveys carried out on the geo-textile tubes along the Kingston/Kitty seawall indicated that the shoreline has improved with much wider foreshore area.
It was stated over a three month period – April to July – the Ministry of Public Works installed six tubes to form a groyne field. The project is an initiative under the 2014 Sea Defence’s Programme.
Amitab Babulal, one of the Ministry’s Sea Defence Engineers, who executed the project, was quoted as saying that “the geo-textile tubes have contributed to beach stabilisation and the retention of shell/sand/sediment drifting in the westerly direction. In recent years, the sediments have been moving towards the Demerara River channel, which would pose a challenge to marine/maritime businesses and operators.”
Further, due to the success of the beach material retention, the Ministry is identifying other vulnerable sites to replicate the exercise such as: Number 63 Beach, sites on Leguan and Devonshire Castle, Essequibo.
In addition, Minister Benn said the Ministry is also exploring the option of installing the tubes on dams with breaches to aid in protecting the livelihood of Guyana.
KINGSTON - On February 7, His Excellency President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn were assured that the Burma to Esau road in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) will be completed in another two months.
The road, which is 70 percent completed, is costing the Ministry of Public Works GY $70.1M to upgrade.
Works to critical sections of the main access road include the compacting of a 2,600 ft section with an asphaltic concrete finish. Other parts of the road that have potholes will be fixed.
The project, which began on October 22, 2014, is being carried out by Shereaz Bacchus General Contractors.
Upon completion, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be responsible for the road’s maintenance.
KINGSTON - The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has mobilized equipment and manpower to clean up the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, fulfilling a request made by the institution’s management.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn visited the Campus last Friday and Saturday (February 6 and 7) to inspect the ongoing exercise.
Since Wednesday, February 4 employees of the Force Account Unit (FAU) and Sea and River Defence Unit have been cleaning the clogged drains in and around the institution, trimming overgrown trees and weeding overrun bushes.
Additionally, the Ministry’s Engineers have been tasked with finding a viable solution to rectify the institution’s sewerage system. A draft proposal is expected to be reviewed in another two weeks.
KINGSTON - A 2014 Public Bus Commuter Satisfaction survey revealed that only 41 percent of the public is satisfied with the service provided.
The survey, conducted by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), measured accessibility, timeliness, comfort, information and safety of eight major bus routes, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 with Route 43 (Georgetown/Linden) delivering the best service with 68 percent.
Route 31 (Georgetown/Wales) received a 55 percent rating; Route 32 (Georgetown/Parika) 41 percent; Route 42 (Georgetown/Timehri) 39 percent; Route 44 (Georgetown/Mahaica) 32 percent; Route 41 (Stabroek/South Ruimveldt) 31 percent; Route 45 (Stabroek/Main, Lamaha/Alberttown) 31 percent and Route 40 (Stabroek-Kitty/Campbellville) 29 percent.
According to Patrick Thompson, MPW’s Chief Transport Planning Officer,the eight routes account for 67 percent of the total public bus fleet in Guyana, which amounts to 3,513 minibuses.
He made this disclosure on February 5, 2015 during his presentation ‘An Imperative for Public Transportation Reform’ at the 5th Engineering Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
The Conference was held under the theme “Defending Guyana’s Development With Engineering Solutions”.
Public’s top five pet peeves
The Chief Transport Planning Officer gave a breakdown of the five most annoying scenarios passengers face on a daily basis: (i) the manner of soliciting passengers at bus parks; (ii) type and loudness of music; (iii) buses being readily available during peak hours; (iv) adequate space (seating and leg room) and (v) ease of boarding.
An estimated 60 percentage of Guyana’s productive labour force uses public transportation daily, Thompson said, which is widely available and fairly reliable. However, he acknowledged there are limitations.
“The minibuses used [in Guyana] are not designed to public transport vehicle standards. With 15 seats, the vehicles are operating at the limits of their design capacity, even minimal overloading is an unacceptable strain on the suspension system,” Thompson explained.
He added that at overloaded condition, the vehicles’ centre of gravity will be elevated and when operated at high speeds, tend to become unstable and susceptible to rolling over.
Further, the age of the buses is a factor. According to Thompson, many of the vehicles plying the roadways are between 10 and 20 years old.
Larger buses the answer?
In his presentation, Thompson informed the audience that minibuses have a marginally lower initial cost; however, other than this aspect, all the arguments - economic and operational - favour the larger vehicles.
“From experience elsewhere, the operating costs per passenger, per kilometer of the 15-seater minibus may be about 20 to 30 percent higher than equivalent to the cost to operate the larger (26-30 seat) vehicle,” he posited.
Recommendations and reformation for the transport system will be reviewed this year, Thompson added, when a Sustainable Urban Transport Study for Georgetown commences.
KINGSTON - Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on February 5 implored those attending the Ministry of Public Works’ fifth Engineering Conference, of the importance of the role they play, in national development, as he pointed out the importance of engineering solutions.
The conference was held under the theme “Defending Guyana’s Development with Engineering Solutions” at the Guyana International Conference Centre.
Prime Minister Hinds urged national and other engineers that they should use the conference as a means of building network, with a focus on doing better engineering and getting better engineering results.
“We are called as engineers, and I think all Guyanese citizens are called to position themselves in Guyana, and be good for Guyana, and this is a significant challenge for us.”
The gathering was also reminded that engineering solutions are not ends to society, but most importantly, they meet the needs of all societies.
Meanwhile, in his address, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn noted his pleasure at being able to host the conference at such an ‘unusual time’.
“The environment in which we operate has been strained at the political level and at the level of the media, in respect of things we attempt and want to do in the development of our country, and we want always to take the opportunity to set the record straight with respect to our mission.”
Minister Benn also pointed out that it is imperative to examine the role engineers’ play, the successes, and failures and how people can improve themselves with respect to the delivery of critical national projects.
He said it is with good intention that the conference is set out to review, assess, critique, and consult on issues, which relate to engineering construction, civil construction, and the impact, and the role of engineering in the development of Guyana, particularly as it relates to the ministry.
Further, the minister noted that since taking up responsibility for the sector, he is pleased with the growth he has witnessed over the years, particularly the growth seen among engineers.
He stated that the task of his ministry, along with engineers, goes beyond the normal maintenance of public roads and bridges, miscellaneous roads, hinterland roads, and aerodromes, all of which he said bring betterment to people.
The minister also took the opportunity to shed light on some critical development projects, which will see Guyana advancing tremendously.
Making reference of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project and the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric project, Minster Benn explained the urgency with which these projects needed to be completed, as they both have far-reaching benefits for Guyana and its people.
He added that while these projects have been met with many obstacles, it is important for engineers, as their work is very critical to ensuring the continued growth and development in the country overall.
However, while admitting that there have been some slippages, as it relates to timely delivery on some critical developmental projects, specifically the East Bank and East Coast road- widening projects, much has still been accomplished.
Minister Benn said in going forward, irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming elections, all national development projects must go forward.
“Irrespective of the new results of the new attempts for a renewed mandate in Parliament, irrespective of the result of the upcoming elections, the national imperative projects have to go forward, and on our side, beyond initiating these projects, we see ourselves as being solidly behind these projects.”
He further urged the engineers and consultants present, to continue the good work with the aim of finding appropriate engineering solutions, to work harder and smarter to solve these problems, while optimising expenditure of money and resources in their work.
He also called on them not to be distracted by the ongoing debates in the media and other places, on how the country should be developed.
Meanwhile the conference dealt with topics such as current design and implementation challenges of road projects on coastlands, improved approach to achieving infrastructural development, imperatives for public transportation reform, and multi stakeholders’ approaches to air transportation.
KINGSTON - “Defending Guyana’s Development with Engineering Solutions” is this year’s theme for the Ministry of Public Works’ (MPW) Engineering Conference which will be on February 5 at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC).
The 5th annual Conference will bring together a wide range of local and international experts and innovators in the field of engineering, road safety, renewable energy and maritime administration and hundreds of engineering professionals, contractors, consultants, suppliers and students.
The technical sessions will be highlighted by presentations on a number of ongoing development projects in Guyana and will provide participants with the opportunity to interact with the presenters and policy makers in the transport sector.
His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn will be delivering remarks.
Registration will commence at 08:00 hrs and the technical sessions from run from 09:30 hrs to 17:00 hrs.
