KINGSTON - Twenty-one Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces are currently combing through dense jungle and treacherous terrain in Region 8 in an ongoing effort to locate the Britten Norman Islander, which disappeared on December 28, 2014 shortly after takeoff from Mahdia.
The ranks - in ‘three man’ teams - have been deployed to Muruwa and Siparuni River, two high interest areas, in search of the twin engine aircraft carrying pilot Nicky Persaud and loader David Bisnauth.
After four days of aerial examinations, ground searches commenced. Apart from the Special Forces, eight Line Cutters from St. Cuthbert’s Mission, 10 Guyana Forestry Commission officers; six villagers from the Chenapau and five villagers from Karisparu have over time joined the search.
Extensive searches were carried out in a large area between North Fork and Black Water rivers.
In the meantime, two helicopters continue to execute aerial searches.
The aircraft with registration, 8R-GHE, was operating a routine flight between Mahdia and Karisparu on Decemebr 28. It took off from Mahdia at 11:42 a.m. on December 28, and the last known position via Spot Tracker was 11:44 a.m.
The aircraft was estimated to reach Karisparu at 12:00 noon.
KINGSTON - The statements attributed to AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo, on President Donald Ramotar’s securing a US$50 million line of credit from the Republic of India for the execution of two major infrastructure project initiatives – the Ogle – Eccles Bypass Road Project and the New Northwest Ferry – are disappointing, confusing and tragicomic in the Kaieteur News of January 12, 2015.
Any balanced read of the very article which contains Mr. Nagamootoo’s statements along with the experience of the traffic situation which the Ogle – Eccles project will address speak volumes as to the urgent necessity for the project intervention. It is, therefore, disappointing and confusing that Mr. Nagamootoo, an experienced and “veteran” politician would condescend to describe, as quoted directly” … fly by night ideas that are being floated.” - the very idea that he too deemed as necessary in paragraph 6 in the said article.
Mr. Nagamootoo goes further by joining the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project to his unique idea of “fly by night projects”.
One can conclude, therefore, that a runway extension of 1,000 metres for aircraft capacity increase and safety assurance, and a 17,000 metres square modern, efficient, and new terminal building are not at all necessary following Mr. Nagamootoo’s thought process on these matters.
He continues to deliberately mislead the public as to the reasons the Government of Guyana accessed (China Exim Bank) Bank Loan funds for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project. The reasons were and remain on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion project was sorely needed and that the China – Caricom Summit in Port of Spain Trinidad presented a final time bound opportunity to fund it on advantageous soft loan terms.
The AFC’s own ideas on an airport expansion project came from its lead person on finance and infrastructure, Mr. Gerhard Ramsaroop who, in a televised debate on the project, mooted that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport be abandoned and a new airport be built on the West Bank of Demerara, at Sandhills. This idea would involve the loss investment funds sunk into Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and the replication and extension of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport infrastructure as all new – not to mention the need imposed to build new road and a new upstream Demerara River Bridge, which would also have to accommodate oceangoing river traffic! All of this would likely convert a US$150 authorized project to one that is to five times greater in costs at least and needed funding!
Last, but not least, on the project side, no one should argue with the need to secure a new northwest ferry. Besides the fact of the current fleet assets being quite old, the accommodations and enroute times are very unsuitable and tedious, respectively, for this service. This discussion has been oft repeated both in the media and in the National Assembly where last Mr. Nagamootoo was an active participant. One would hope that the AFC is not now again setting its sights on shooting down another vital project which provides the life line transport link to Amerindian communities as occurred with the opposition refusals for Budget 2014 where Hinterland Aerodromes and the Amerindian Development Fund amongst others fell victim to the combined opposition’s hatchets.
We need to remind, again, that funding from the BRICS grouping. (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are on typically very advantageous and concessional terms, and that these projects by their very nature in transiting the funding and project cycles, require feasibility and engineering design studies all of which involve consultation.
Perhaps Mr. Nagamootoo may wish to intimate:- why – after having been consulted and provided with all the feasibility and engineering studies for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project and having benefitted from the debates and interventions in the National Assembly, - the combined opposition, of which the AFC is a very vocal member, refused further funding for the project in 2014, after having approved the project via a mobilization of US 2013? What discovery propelled the attempt to hold up or kill a vital national project that would see cheaper airfares, efficient travel and an opportunity to enhance our tourism and transport networking attractiveness!
All things considered, the answer should specifically identify the real denizens who “fly by night” and are the main actors in the tragi-comedy we in government have been striving to have our country avoid.
We can all recall the visceral negative criticisms from sections of the media and opposition circles when Guyana undertook, with Indian Government Funding, to build a new cricket stadium, at Providence, to International Cricket Council Standards.
The undeniable fact that the Providence Stadium fulfilled its intended mission for Cricket World Cup, combined with the reality of an exemplary facility that is enjoyed by all, for a variety of cultural and social events, is a testimony to the fact that what Nagamootoo deems as “fly by night” PPP/C Government projects result in solid, viable, enduring projects, on solid ground, benefitting all Guyanese.
On the question of the seeming uptake of additional public debt, Mr. Nagamootoo should recall when, as a Minister of the first PPP/C government in 1992, he was amongst those at the Cheddi Jagan Cabinet who wrestled with the seemingly hopeless problem of having to spend 93 percent plus of all revenues to service debts for which he even argued there was little to show for. Finance Minister Ashni Singh, is the expert on these matters – on which he may wish to further elucidate - but I would be bold to venture that there is no unsustainable taking on of debt by the Ramotar administration. The initiatives of the kind being undertaken are designed to energize the national economy! Nagamootoo should not turn his back on the only certifiable successes he has had in politics – the period when he was a PPP/C stalwart.
Yours sincerely,
Robeson Benn
Minister of Public Works
January 12, 2015
KINGSTON - Acknowledging there were issues that caused delays, Coordinator of the Work Services Group (WSG) of the Ministry of Public Works, Geoffrey Vaughn, said the ministry is not satisfied with the pace of construction on the East Bank Demerara four-lane extension. Vaughn said the onus is on the contractors to put in extra hours to ensure the completion of the road.
Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA) on January 12, he said, “We know that they had a lot of delays, but still we expected to see a little more in terms of the project management, working double shift, day and night but that did not happen.”
He noted that it is not a case where the ministry can push ‘fully’ to have the contractors work in the night. He explained that it is a contractual obligation, which the government can only propose. It is for the contractor to determine if he or she wants to work in the night, he said.
“If they need to, and they want to, they can work night time, it does not take away anything from the contract, but it is for them to make that call,” he said. The Ministry has to however, ensure that the work is carried out and the contract is completed within the specified time or the penalty clause can be applied, he pointed out.
Funded under Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan financing to the tune of US $22M, the upgrading of the two traffic lanes to four, along the East Bank Demerara road from Providence to Diamond is being executed in three lots; Providence to Prospect, Prospect to Little Diamond, and Little Diamond to Diamond Intersection. To date, lot one is approximately 56 percent completed, lot two, is 90 percent completed and lot three, 60 percent completed.
The relocation of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) utilities continue to be one of the main issues that have posed delays to the projects. The ministry has had several talks with GT&T pertaining to the issue and signed contracts with the utility company toward the removal of the utilities. “Most of it is that they are not too sure that they have cables… so we have to wait until they acquire these things and they have to do designs,” Vaughn said.
He explained that the build-ups are causing extended delays. “When we would have gone into the contract with GT&T, then they would have been pushing to get y, get z, so you find that itself caused some amount of delays, so as much as you want to blame the contactors on one hand in terms of not being able to work effectively and in a faster manner, we still have to look at some of the other issues that we had on the contract,” he said.
Lots 1 and 2 of the project were supposed to be completed by December 31, 2014. Lot One is now extended to March 2015, due to the utility issue. Lot two’s delay is due to rainfall in 2013 and for the reason that the contractor; Dipcon has also recently been suffering from a cash flow problem, which has affected the project negatively.
Lot two, being farthest along will basically be wrapping up very soon. Most persons driving along the East Bank would have realised this, as the area has now been opened up to traffic.
Lot three’s contractor, BK International is expected to complete his part by March 2015, which is the time extended to him for its conclusion. The extension of lot three, like lot two, basically was granted due to delays in the removal of utilities. This lot also suffered from poor organising skills, construction methodology and lack of human resources.
Vaughn explained that BK International has completed some of its road works and a lot of concentration is now on the high bridge, next to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). “Once that is completed we know that work will be pushed faster,” he said.
Vaughn said that the ministry will be monitoring and ensuring that the project comes to an end before March 2015. He explained that the issue with the utility would not take away from the ministry applying liquidated damages to contractors because of lateness in completion of work.
With lot two, though far ahead, he said there are a few aspects that need to be done and some corrected. He identified that some areas are not smooth enough, so those will be marked, and the correction will be done.
The East Bank Demerara four-lane extension, when completed is expected to contribute to increased mobility and accessibility to Georgetown for the population in the south along one of the most heavily trafficked section of the country’s main road network.
The road at present links Georgetown and the new housing and industrial developments on the East Bank corridor. It also provides access to natural sources of sand used extensively in local construction and leads to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
KINGSTON - In 2014, the Ministry of Public Works allocated and spent GYD 604M to maintain 359 kilometres of roads in the Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and ALL declared public roads.
Vlissengen Road, Irving Street, Mandela Avenue, Duncan Street, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Homestretch Avenue, University of Guyana road, Irving Street, Water Street, Carifesta Avenue, Sea Wall Road, Railway Embankment; Camp Road, Barrack Street, West Coast Demerara, East Coast Demerara and East Bank Demerara roads were some of the roads upgraded.
Details of works that had performed on roads were as follows: minor rehabilitation of local failure; pothole patching; crack fill longitudinal/transverse/edge cracks; levelling and apply thin overlay to rutting; minor rehabilitation of local failure; surface seal block cracking; road safety maintenance (road marking and signs); cleaning or clearing of existing drains; grading and shaping of road shoulders; and revetment installation.
Due to the routine maintenance by the Force Account Unit (FAU) on all declared public roads, travelling time on the roads has been reduced; road marking will help to make the roads safer; there will be a reduction of vehicle operation cost; an extension of the service life of the road and increase driving comfort.
Meanwhile, the main thoroughfare for Section Q Turkeyen is currently being upgraded by the FAU is expected to be completed this week, barring inclement weather. Work on the 3,280 feet long road commenced on December 12, 2014 by the FAU.
According to Lawrence Mentis, head of FAU and a Civil Engineer, works completed so far include cleaning the road’s drains, culverts and the reconstruction of its pavement from white sand/sand clay to finish asphalt concrete. Works to be completed include the installation of culverts, priming and tacking coat of road and the laying of asphalt concrete.
“This is the only road leading into the housing scheme so we have to maintain it to a certain level of acceptability for the residents,” Mr. Mentis stated.
KINGSTON - There is a need for greater empathy amongst the general public to recognise the importance of local sea and river defence systems, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said.
During an interview on the National Communications Network 'Political Scope' Programme on Friday, the minister who has responsibility for the nation’s sea and river defences said that the issue of garbage disposal is one that needs to be addressed as it has serious ramifications, in addition to the now routine clogging of drains, canals and outfalls. He pointed out that in some areas, garbage has accumulated into rafts of debris which, due to wave action, scour the banks of embankments and sea defences, wearing away and weakening them. Stakeholders will have to come up with an approach to remove squatters and attendant garbage, especially in poorer parts of the capital, he said.
“A plan will have to be worked out and it will have to come about in a change in spirit and will, at the level of the City Council, to deal with this problem which is now intractable and which will only get worse as we go forward”.
Government, eventually, may have to address these issues since City Hall is not performing as expected, it was further noted.
Minister Benn recalled that when the PPP/C government took office, most of the sea defence structures along the coast were in a state of disrepair. Government has, over the years, he said, embarked on a programme to first rebuild these structures, then rehabilitate and maintain them as needed. It was noted that miles of coastland have already been lost to the sea as evidenced by the presence of kokers. The challenge has been further compounded by the loss of mangroves along critical sections of the coastline. Launched under the Public Works Ministry and now under the Agriculture Ministry, a project is underway to mitigate this.
The last two decades of work undertaken by government, has resulted in the coastline being secured, the minister explained.
The impact of global warming is being felt and this has necessitated a move towards the construction of higher sea defences. These are between half a meter to one meter higher in many places, to offset rising sea levels. Minister Benn stated that flooding, along the coastal belt is often as a result of overtopping, or heavy rainfall and not breaches within sea defences. He explained that once rainfall exceeds the drainage system’s capacity, flooding will occur. This, he indicated is between 35 to 40 mm of rainfall in a 24 - hour period, and once this is surpassed, flooding would result. The filling in of several main drainage canals in Georgetown has further reduced drainage capacity and there is now a greater reliability on pumps, to effect faster drainage.
Guyana has been, and continues to be assisted in its sea and river defence efforts by the European Union (EU) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). These agencies were described as “reliable” partners by the Minister Benn. He revealed that the 9th EU Development Fund has resulted in the spending of 18 million Euros to boost local sea defences.
The 10th phase of the fund will see the expenditure of 14 million Euros within the sector. It was important to note, Minister Benn said, that the financial agencies are now funding the programmes and projects by allocating monies to government, directly, rather than stand alone projects which were overseen by the EU. This move signals confidence in government’s ability to manage and execute these works, in a transparent and fair manner.
The CDB's US$24 million loan and contract being worked out at present will encompass the Sea Defence Resilience Project.
All these interventions are part of efforts to ensure that Guyana continues to be an export driven economy, particularly for agricultural products such as sugar and rice, Minister Benn said. The region’s food security is assured by the local export of rice, sugar and other produce to regional markets and further afield, he added.
Lessons have and are being garnered by local engineers by visiting overseas locales such as the Louisiana and Mississippi Delta, in the United States, Holland’s sea defences and even further afield to Bangladesh. As a result of these visits, it is understood that the current sea and river defence structures can be built much higher eventually, Minister Benn explained. He referred to the notion that Guyana’s coast should be abandoned and residents move to higher ground such as Soesdyke, Timehri and Linden.
“The investment that is already in place on the coast is an enormous one, and it will take a very long time to replicate the fertility or the investment to be able to move people to that area… we don’t think that it is necessary, we know that at the engineering level we can build higher, incrementally as we have been doing as we go forward." Some 6 mm of annual sea level rise is being catered for by the ministry, with respect to sea defence works, he added, and if building is done continuously at those levels, and better engineering methods are employed, this will reduce costs, per linear meter for the infrastructure put in place. It would be critical to work with other interventions such as using cheaper, but still effective methods, he stated.
As the ministry goes forward, Minister Benn said that local engineers are more confident and capable in their abilities, hence they will be doing “greater things with respect to this area, out of our own efforts, not necessarily by importing efforts."
KINGSTON - The Ministry of Public Works was able to carry out major rehabilitative work on four airstrips in 2014, despite the fact the Combined Opposition cut the ministry’s budgetary allocation.
These airstrips are in Region One; at Matthews Ridge ($74 M) and Port Kaituma ($50 M), and in Region Seven, at Kamarang ($35 M) and Imbaimadai ($26 M).
Resident contractors, who were paid on a quarterly basis, did all routine maintenance works.
According to information from the ministry, the Aerodrome Division was successful in achieving most of its objectives for 2014, with regard to routine and corrective maintenance at hinterland airstrips for the year.
Further the ministry noted that there were no adverse reports from aircraft operators, nor members of the various communities, in relation to works carried out on these airstrips.
Site visits by the aerodrome inspection team were done to ensure that all works were carried out, in keeping with the required standards of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
Meanwhile in going forward, normal routine and corrective maintenance to all 46 government aerodromes, in Regions One to Ten, and any other related works, which may be required will continue.
With an estimated budget of $205 M, in 2015, capital works will be undertaken for the rehabilitation of four airstrips in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine. These will include the airstrips at Eteringbang, Mahdia, Annai, and Kurupung.
In April of 2014, when Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh presented the National Budget, the Combined Opposition voted against funding for the rehabilitation of several hinterland airstrips.
This saw Amerindians, from some remote locations, staging protests, declaring that their developments were being stymied and it was a move to cut them off from the coastland.
However, in keeping with the constitution, some of the money was restored, and this was used for the hinterland airstrips, and other developmental projects.
Many remote communities in the hinterland depend heavily on domestic flights to shuttle food and other critical supplies to their communities, most of which are also hubs for gold operations.
TIMEHRI - A platoon of GDF Special Forces were flown into the Mahdia from Timehri today, January 7 to join the ground search for the missing Britten Norman Islander that lost communication with Air Traffic Controllers on December 28, 2014.
Further, six villagers from the Chenapau joined the search party at Mahdia.
They will be inserted by helicopters to an area of interest tomorrow, January 8th at sunrise barring no inclement weather.
Over the past three days, Special Forces’ ranks, Guyana Forestry Commission officers and Line cutters have been extensively combing a large area between North Fork and Black Water rivers.
If the search proves futile, additional areas will be examined.
KINGSTON - “Smooth ride”, “no difficulty”,” less mechanic money”, “no mo’ long walking” – these were some of the phrases used by residents and commuters from the Sophia, Greater Georgetown area, since the roads were rehabilitated during the holiday season.
The access road to the various ‘Fields’, known as “stem-roads”, underwent major maintenance through works executed by the Public Works Ministry, since the community is not managed by a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). The roads were previously graded and the materials would often wash away whenever it rains but this has changed with the tarring of the roads.
Contractors worked throughout December so as to ensure that by 2015 the roads were completed or at least a significant portion of the job is finish before the New Year.
As residents step out of their homes, smiles can be seen on their faces while the minibus and taxi drivers drive comfortably without worrying about potholes or anything that would cause damage to their vehicles.
The residents are especially more pleased with this since transportation is more easily accessible now. Keesha Gonsalves said that “It use to be hell, I use to had to wait long, long on one bus and sometimes when de bus reach down at the back hey, it full”. Another resident,
Sharmilla Thomas stated that the roads were so bad that after a certain hour, the minibus drivers refused to drive in the field and diverted through other parts of the community.
Some of the minibus drivers also spoke with this newspaper and expressed their delight with the works done. Winston (only name given), explained that he has been driving the C Field route for the past six years and is very happy for the rehabilitated roads. “I had to buy another bus because the road before damaged every possible part of my bus, but only God knows how happy I am with the new road,” the relieved driver said.
Another bus driver, who identified himself as Mike, indicated that he would normally drive the B Field route and would usually help out the C Field persons. He said “this is a really good of the Government; I will have less mechanic money to spend.”
With this step taken by the Ministry, the residents of Sophia and other commuters are satisfied. Persons residing in the A, D and C Fields are pleased and thankful for the work that the Public Works Ministry has done.
However, those residents from further down in Sophia, where the roads have not yet been done, are anxiously awaiting the commencement of works.
TIMEHRI - Three teams from were flown into Mahdia, Region 7 from Timehri by GDF Skyvan today [January 3] to join the search for the Britten Norman Islander and individuals that went missing shortly after takeoff on Sunday, December 28.
Ten members from the Guyana Forestry Commission; eight ranks from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces and eight Line Cutters from the St. Cuthbert’s Mission were inserted by helicopter into an ‘area of high interest’ to commence ground searches bordered by the North Fork and Blackwater rivers.
Standard ‘three man’ teams – from GFC and GDF – have mapped a route to systematically comb the mountainous terrain in search for the twin engine aircraft, pilot Nicky Persaud and Loader David Bisnauth. The teams are equipped with modern communication equipment inclusive of satellite telephones; handheld radios; global positioning instruments, and are in regular contact with the Rescue Coordination sub-Centre at Mahdia.
Simultaneously, aerial examination continued with two helicopters supported by two fixed wing aircraft, not only in the ‘area of high interest’ but along the pre-determined grids which were prepared by the RCC, Timehri Control Tower.
The search had to be discontinued at 16:30 hrs due to bad weather and will resume at first light tomorrow, January 4.
The area of high probability was based on reports of sightings in an area above the highest peak, east of Deer Creek, approximately 10 miles, southwest of Mahdia.
TIMEHRI - Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s Director General, Zulficar Mohamed, and members of the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) travelled to the RCC’s sub-center in Mahdia yesterday, January 1, 2015 to assist in the Search and Rescue mission for the ASL’s aircraft which went missing on December 28, 2014.
The aerial Search and Rescue operations based at Mahdia continued today; however, due to inclement weather and overcast conditions, the operations started late.
Based on information received, the RCC identified further areas of interest in the Kurungiku Mountain, Black Water area and North Fork area.
A party is currently on the ground conducting a search of the Black Water area after completing a similar exercise in the North Fork area.
In addition, a more intense ground search effort will commence tomorrow. Other specialist teams have been mobilized and will be transported to Mahdia and other areas of interest.
The teams are drawn from personnel of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Air Services Ltd.
Further, more than 150 square miles were covered in the Search and Rescue effort; and in excess of 60 hours of flight time were logged in the Search and Rescue mission for ASL’s Britten Norman Islander aircraft, bearing registration 8R-GE which went missing on Sunday 28th, December, 2014.
