KINGSTON - After dedicated efforts to remove the dead sperm whale from the Kitty foreshore on Tuesday, December 16 proved futile, the Ministry of Public Works decided to dig a 22-feet deep grave and buried the male adolescent whale right at the foreshore.
For the entire day on Tuesday the ministry had been attempting to remove the whale from the seashore with the use of excavators but the weight of the sea giant made the task extremely difficult.
The burial on Tuesday night was facilitated by personnel from the Wild Life Conservation committee and students from the Natural Sciences Faculty of the University of Guyana.
Following the burial a temporary cross was placed at the location to mark the spot.
However, it remains unclear what permanent measures would be employed to secure the remains in an effort to retrieve its skeleton in a year’s time for educational purposes, according to the initial plan by the local authorities. (Guyana Chronicle)
TIMEHRI - Children of all ages in surrounding areas of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport were treated to gifts, fruit cake, candies and juices on December 16 - as part of the airport’s annual Christmas parade.
A jolly Santa and his many helpers were the highlight of the event. It is the fourth year that the airport’s staff has pulled off the family oriented affair.
The fun-filled parade kicked off from St. Mary’s Primary, Soesdyke and made its way to CJIA’s cricket ground, Timehri. Over 1,900 gifts were handed out as well as a wide assortment of candies and Santa hats.
In an invited comment, Dacia Samaroo, coordinator of the parade, said that much love was poured into preparations to achieve a successful parade.
“I must commend the staff for going the extra mile. It is something that management will continue to promote for years to come. It was priceless to see children glowing when they saw Santa and his helpers on the sleigh,” she added.
A mini concert was also held at the ground with some of CJIA’s staff revealing their hidden talents including singing and dancing.
CJIA’s management extends its appreciation to Digicel, Digital Technology, Thrill Drinks, DDL and Beharry Sweets for their contributions in making the event a success.
KINGSTON - The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) brought the holiday cheers to 258 little ones over a two day period.
Between December 9 and 10, the Corporation’s General Manager, Rawlston Adams and his staff distributed gifts – including toys – to 194 students from Eccles Nursery and 64 from Oleander Nursery schools.
The schools were chosen because of the close proximity to the Harbour Bridge and to the Asphalt plant.
KINGSTON - Continuing in their efforts to further develop communities in and around Georgetown, the Ministry of Public Works has targeted Middle Road, to execute repairs to the road which was in a deplorable state.
Middle Road, which is located in La Penitence, has long been described by residents as a “get-away” for thieves, since the poor road condition aids easy escape once petty crimes have been committed.
In this light residents have often made calls for the road to be repaired so as to reduce the number of crimes committed in the area.
Sunday last saw the commencement of work on the western half where holes were filled with bricks and loam. In addition, works continued in the area as the eastern half, just around Hunter Street, saw the use of bitumen to seal holes which had been created by heavy-duty vehicles.
KINGSTON - Officials from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard recently participated in a Sub-Regional Workshop on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC) in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The Workshop was organised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS), Regional Activity Centre/Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre (RAC-REMPEITC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It was held during the period November 17-20, 2014.
The five-member Guyanese team comprised of Geoffrey Babb, Pilot/Inspector of Shipping (MARAD), La Verne Vyfhus, Administrative Officer, Safety Division (MARAD), Akosua McPherson, Public Communications Officer (MARAD), Clive McDonald, Commander of Emergency Scenes (MOHA) and Ronald McIntyre, Sub-Lieutenant, Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF)
Participants were also drawn from Belize and the host country; Suriname.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Michel Amafo, Director of (MAS) highlighted his country’s status with respect to the ratification and implementation of the IMO Conventions. Mr. Paul Lattanzi, IMO Consultant and former Commander of the US Coast Guards delved into the subject of developing a Cross Border Environmental Plan for Guyana and Suriname based on global standards. Other trainers dealt with topics such as the OPRC Convention, Oil Spill Preparedness, Net Environmental Benefits and the Readiness Evaluation Tools for Oil Spills (RETOS).
At the end of the Workshop, participants were given certificates of participation.
This workshop has brought us further along in our quest of being prepared to deal effectively with an oil spill in Guyana’s waters.
KINGSTON - Two female stalwarts in aviation were Sunday, December 7, 2014 honoured as Guyana joined with the rest of the world in observing International Civil Aviation Day.
Paula Mc Adam who was the first female air traffic controller in Guyana, and has spent over 40 years in this field was presented with an award alongside Sandra Persaud who was the first female in airport management in Guyana.
Chitrani Heeralall, who is also a woman in aviation, reflected on the lives of these women who dared to pursue their careers in this area, a career which was followed by men only for over 30 years.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn during his remarks noted that women have played a key role in the development of the local aviation sector, and the efforts of the first women in aviation in Guyana were recognised. He urged more women to get involved.
"The development needs of our country means that we have to call upon the efforts, the knowledge and skills of women, which they have as much as we do: perhaps they have more than we do because we are not engineered for some other purposes.”
He added, “We have to facilitate and foster a culture that brings in women in our work force, the administration and all levels of the things we do to be able to develop our country rapidly.”
He noted that the country is constantly growing and “we have to call upon all resources.”
Both women expressed their gratitude to the Ministry and the sector for this undertaking. Ms. Mc Adam encouraged young women to never consider themselves weaker than males, but instead stand their ground and be confident in what they do.
Meanwhile, Ms. Persaud encouraged women not to be complacent, and men to give them the chance because they can bring a lot to the table.
This year’s observance was held under the theme “Cooperating on Global Aviation Progress: celebrating 70 years of the Chicago Convention”.
KINGSTON - Guyana joined with the rest of the world in observing International Civil Aviation day on Sunday, December 8, 2014. A new stamp was launched in honour of the women in Aviation at a ceremony held at Colgrain House, Camp Street, Georgetown.
In addition, individuals who completed studies over the past four years at the Air Traffic Training School in the area of Aeronautical Information Management, Air Traffic Control and Area Controllers were also presented with certificates.
Awards were also given out to several individuals for long - term service.
This year’s observance was held under the theme “Cooperating on Global Aviation Progress: celebrating 70 years of the Chicago Convention”. This theme recognises the significant contributions that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has made since its establishment, and the strengthening and success of fostering cooperation on transport worldwide.
Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Director General (GCAA), Zulficar Mohamed noted that on December 7, 1944, fifty four (54) countries met in Chicago and put together the Chicago Convention; an agreement that has since allowed the growth of the civil aviation system.
He highlighted the fact that in 2013 Guyana celebrated 100 years of civil aviation.
Mohamed said that the ICAO has since managed to make air travel the safest mode of travel in the world, and it continues to grow.
He highlighted that there has been increased routes along with concomitant increase in passengers. Aviation is one of the most important areas in most countries' economy and over 56 million people are employed by the sector worldwide. It has also contributed over $2 trillion to GDP globally and has carried in excess of three million passengers over the last year, and transported over $5 trillion worth of cargo annually.
Challenges do exist, but programmes have been put in place to deal with these challenges. However, one of the major hindrances in this area remains the lack/shortage of trained personnel in this sector.
He noted that the main area of challenge in Guyana is aircraft operations oversight and several persons have been trained in this regard.
He also pointed out that accommodation for larger aircraft at the airports is also a challenge. Government, recognising this moved to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
Over the past year, Guyana has signed 13 air services agreements.
He urged the stakeholders to remain committed and to cooperate to take the aviation industry forward.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn during his remarks noted that ICAO has made significant achievements in promoting safety, security and efficiency in the aviation sector.
The Minister noted that Guyana has been cooperating with other member States and Regional and International bodies to work towards strengthening the sector. He added that health issues are also a concern for this sector, but the Health Ministry has been working closely with the sector in this regard.
The Minister pointed out that there are several areas of dependency in the aviation sector such as fuel, and aircraft and passenger accommodation among others.
He noted that the CJIA project is to aid in this regard and also the development of the country as a whole. He highlighted that this project is a critical one, because it will aid in attracting larger aircraft, reducing ticket prices and providing safety and comfort in travelling.
Additionally, the construction of the terminal building will help to accommodate the increase in passengers and cargo in a more efficient way.
“In going forward to a new 100 years in aviation in Guyana, we have to be in the position of continuously developing and expanding the infrastructure and facilitation in this industry so as to take care of the growth in our economy.... Guyana’s economy has been growing for the last eight years.”
The Minister also noted that there has been significant growth in the national fleet as there are currently 54 aircraft on the register and another 11 are being considered by the GCAA.
In the area of the shortage of skilled personnel in the sector, the Minister empahsised the need for training and to encourage young people to major in the area of technical studies along with science and engineering.
KINGSTON - Post-installation surveys carried out on the geotextile tubes along the Kingston/Kitty seawall indicated that the shoreline has improved with much wider foreshore area.
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 Defences Programme.
Amitab Babulal, one of the Ministry’s Sea Defence Engineers who executed the project, stated that over the past few months there have been significant sand deposition recorded on the foreshore area.
“The geotextile 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,” Mr. Babulal explained.
Due to the success of the beach material retention, the Ministry is identifying other vulnerable sites to replicate the exercise.
According to Jermaine Braithwaite, a MPW’s Senior Engineer, geotextile tubes contribute to the long term shoreline management and promoting sustainable protection of the shoreline.
“Parts of Guyana’s shorelines have experienced erosion and overtopping due to the impact of high energy waves, and we have a rapid installation method that could help mitigate these adverse effects,” he added.
Areas under consideration include No. 63 Beach, sites on Leguan and Devonshire Castle, Essequibo.
Scope of works
The works comprise of the installation of three geotextile tube (geotube) groynes of length 100m and circumference 6.4m long. Each groyne was constructed by sandfilling two 50m long geotextile tubes which were installed with a butt joint interface to form a continuous unit along the design alignment for each groyne.
Mr. Babulal also noted that the tubes have minimum impact on the environment and are low maintenance.
“Geotube structures are also a cost-effective alternative when compared to traditional marine materials and methods. They are fabricated from a high–strength, specially engineered, woven textile with special high-strength seaming techniques to resist pressures during pumping operations,” he added.
KINGSTON - Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn said that the ministry is looking at the possibility of developing Lethem, Region Nine into a regional airport, serving international, regional and domestic destinations.
This announcement was made by Minister Benn during a press conference on Tuesday at his Kingston Office, where he told media operatives that the ministry is currently conducting a study, and establishing an architectural design which will be done within a year.
“We have spoken to stakeholders in the areas and a visit was also done to Boa Vista to analyse what type of investment, the level of services needed and how it may grow… so as to do all the calculations in terms of the architecture and building. We have already completed some of those works,” Minister Benn pointed out.
He reiterated that a pre-feasibility study is currently being done and within a year all the works will be, after which the ministry will engage Government for investment and look for a public-private arrangement, similar to that of the Ogle Airport.
