BARTICA - Head of State Donald Ramotar on August 30, 2014 told miners that the road from Bartica (Region 7) to the interior will be fixed as money has been provided to execute works.
He also stated that government will work closely with the Bartica Interim Management Committee to address the issue of garbage.
“ Just to let you know that we are going to fix this road and at the moment, we have just given the Ministry of Works $89 M to try to do work to make this road, drainage better until we can fix it to the standard of a highway, but we are going to continue to work on that. We are working very closely with the IMC in Bartica in order to clear the drains and garbage and if we had the resources that can become available from saving $9billion per year, (for electricity subsidy which could be saved through hydropower) we will not have enough contractors and workers to do all the work we can do with $9billion and we can solve the problem we have with garbage and drainage etc.”
He told those gathered for the pork knocker’s day event at Bartica, Region Seven that the biggest impediment to development is the lack of cheap energy.
“That is why the government continues to pursue the Amaila Falls project that was scuttled. We should have already started building that, but because of short sightedness and narrow-mindedness we have not started as yet to develop our power industry. Let me just tell you what potential that has to transform Guyana, at the moment the Government spends $9 billion per year to subsidise electricity across the country, the moment we get hydro-power we will be able to save that $9billion a year and not only that consumers will be able to save as well because it is expected that their bill is supposed to come down. More importantly it will give us the cheap energy that is required to add value to our products like gold,” the Head of State asserted.
He indicated that Government is looking at hydro-power development right in Region Seven, in cooperation with the Brazilians.
He assured miners that they have been recognised by his government and the role that they have played, and spoke of the developments that are soon to take place in the mining sector said as the Aurora mines in the Cuyuni area coming into operation next year, and Troy Resources.
He pointed out that what is badly needed is value added products, as not only the gold industry needs to be developed, but also a jewellery industry to produce jewelry in a large scale.
“There are also lots of other resources, semi-precious stones we can use and people can make a good standard of living from mining these semi-precious stones that are present in our society,” he said.
GEORGETOWN - On Tuesday, Cabinet granted its no-objection to a contract worth $185M for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Linden/Lethem Road.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon made the announcement at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President.
Maintenance to critical sections of the Linden/Lethem Road has started with works scheduled to be completed by mid-September. The work is intended to cut travel time by four hours.
Currently, it takes approximately 16 hours to commute to Lethem from Georgetown using a minibus. The critical sections will be resurfaced with lateritic material and compacted. The contractors employed for this project, which is being executed in phases are: Troy Resources; Omai Gold Mines (OGM); Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL); Mekdeci Machinery and Construction (MMC) and Vevakanand Dalip Enterprise (DALIP).
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn had said that for sustainable works to be carried out on the road, the weather had to improve. “Any works before this would have been lost to the rains,” he said. He added that his ministry intends to establish toll stations on the critical hinterland roads to support the year-round maintenance efforts required and to limit abuse of the road from the aspect of load carriage and safety.
It is also proposed to establish a basic toll with escalation for overloading and wet passage conditions.
The Linden/Lethem road is one of the projects that falls under the hinterland road rehabilitation programme. For 2014, the Ministry has set aside $1.08B to facilitate repairs to roads countrywide.
TIMEHRI - “It is important that we lift the security profile at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Ogle Aerodrome,” candidly stated Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn at the opening ceremony for the Airport Risk Mitigation workshop this morning, August 26, 2014.
The Control Tower, Timehri, is the venue for the three day interactive session, which is a collaboration between the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the United States of America security watchdog – Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The workshop is an advanced technical assistance programme designed to assist foreign airport stakeholders in conducting a risk assessment to identify areas as it relates to their security posture.
Minister Benn further stated that the September 11, 2001 acts of terrorism have impacted security operations worldwide; hence, airport security officials have to synergize and create linkages to improve their capabilities.
“The Government of Guyana is cognizant of these challenges. You have to make the utmost use of such courses because it improves your personal and professional development. We rely on you to make us safe and secure,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Bryan Hunt, Charge d’ Affaires acknowledged that the pressure to propel security process is weighed against the increased threat from persons who want to traffic drugs and/or weapons from one country to another.
“It is critically important that nations work together in a coordinated matter to identify and thwart those threats. Security is a global issue. Criminal networks are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to move people and illicit cargo aboard the same planes that supply the goods and resources that grow and develop our economies,” Mr. Hunt said.
He disclosed that the US Government remains committed to aviation security partnerships with Guyana and in the Caribbean as a means of investing in the future and supporting sustainable development of the region.
GCAA Director General, Zulficar Mohamed, revealed that the Authority has been able strengthen its relationship with TSA, and expressed his appreciation to the facilitators for coming to Guyana in such a short space of time to impart their vast knowledge to the participants.
“…we must have the personnel, trained and ready to carry out their duties when necessary,” he said.
Security and Operational staff from CJIA, Ogle, Guyana Police Force (GPF) Special Constabulary, Customs and Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and GCAA attended the workshop.
KINGSTON - The Ministry is advising truck owners that effective Tuesday, August 26, 2014 heavy duty trucks – single, double and triple axles - will only be allowed to carry loads of approximately 15 tonnes along the Linden/Lethem road.
Currently, critical areas along the access road are being fixed.
The road is passable for small and medium sized vehicles such minibuses, canters and pickups.
An advisory will be issued when the weight restriction is lifted.
The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
KINGSTON - At approximately 15:00 hours on Thursday August 21, 2014, the small passenger boat Kaikuman capsized in the Essequibo River close to the shore at Success, Leguan.
The incident occurred shortly after the boat left Success, Leguan with a cargo of agricultural produce. It was destined for Parika.
Two persons were on board; the captain and the farmer who owned the cargo. They were rescued by two boats which were in the vicinity, and the boat and some of the cargo were recovered and taken to Parika.
The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is now investigating this incident.
KINGSTON - The local aviation sector is now in a better position to manage its airspace and the safety of air traffic as Minister, with the responsibility for the transport sector, Robeson Benn along with officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on August 20 launched the Automatic Dependence Surveillance Broadcast Project.
The project is part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) global plan for the seamless transition of flights through the world’s airspace.
On the occasion, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said the project is indeed a significant achievement for the transport sector more so the aviation sector as the demands have been growing over the years.
“It may have not been particularly noted that our choice for this project over radar represents a saving of US $20 million. This project afforded us and that window of opportunity as it went along with the ICAO standards in relation to flight monitoring and surveillance.”
The Minister pointed out that this project now provides a more advanced means of air surveillance and air safety.
Currently the aviation sector manages the air space while depending mainly on procedural activities, and heavily on the engagement training of air traffic controllers on radio sets.
Against this backdrop, Minister Benn said this new monitoring system represents a great leap forward to a new level on how the aviation sector manages its air space and traffic.
“We know it has been implemented in other countries, and it affords seamless interface between other countries as it will allow for efficient, safe and comprehensive operation and a better overall management of the air safety control.”
Minister Benn also welcomed the initiative against the backdrop that over the years there has been a significant increase in domestic flights in the local airspace, as well as increase in international air traffic.
“I’m pleased that by the end of this year we would have more than doubled the number of operating assets in terms of air traffic, and we have to manage those operations.”
Hence, the Minister said it is important to boost the surveillance and safety capabilities of the sector more so on the domestic level as this will further ensure the domestic space remains safe, efficient and economical. Minister Benn further encouraged those in the sector to make optimum use of the system.
Meanwhile GCAA’s Chairman Zulfikar Mohamed, who gave an overview of the system and its operation, noted that the project was in the making since 2008 as the sector was working towards further enhancing its capabilities.
“Since we were formed it was always our intention to modernise the air navigation services and it would be in requirements of having up-to-date, state -of -the -art equipment to replace those that we have that are pretty much dated, and then again to keep abreast of technology and further to develop our capacity and capability in providing air traffic and air navigation service to the local and international operation.”
Mohamed noted that the demand for improved capability grew as over the years, and more so over the last decade, air traffic in Guyana has more than doubled.
While all the components for the maximum utilisation of this project are not in place, already several critical pieces of equipment have been sourced.
“In 2008 we replaced several equipment that we had, we later acquired navigation equipment, landing equipment, to continue it, we are introducing the surveillance equipment.”
Mohamed also pointed out that with the introduction of this system Guyana is now on par with Australia, United States, Europe, Brazil, Suriname, Trinidad and Peru.
The system will be fully operational within another three years, as emphasis will be placed on training of persons in the interim. (GINA)
KINGSTON - Despite efforts to have the East Bank Four-lane Extension Project completed by the end of this year, the project has now been set to be fully completed in the first quarter of next year.
Project delays have become a disgusting and frustrating phenomenon in Guyana; however, according to the Works Ministry’s Roads and Bridges Department Manager Ron Rahaman, two of the lots will be completed by this year, but the other will not be finished until the first quarter of 2015.
Rahaman explained that work in Lot One cannot be completed by year- end as was initially projected.
He disclosed that Lot One, awarded to Dipcon Engineering, is only 40 per cent completed. Works on Lots Two and Three are 64 and 40 per cent completed respectively.
The Engineer noted that Lots Two and Three, with the exception of Diamond High Bridge, are scheduled to be completed by December. The High Bridge, he stated, will not be completed as work has recently begun. Currently, the contractors are working on driving up the piles on the western side of the bridge.
The entire bridge is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year, along with Lot One.
Rahaman went on to explain that work on the second lot, being done by GuySuCo, is progressing well with the second two-lane also complete. He pointed out that the split-road design was done because of efficiency rather than filling the trench.
“At that area, the trench was a bit wider than Lot One so it would have taken a lot more back- filling and big drains so that was the better option in terms of safety and also cost wise,” he said.
One- way traffic
Rahaman added that the existing two-lane road will facilitate one- way traffic heading north, while traffic on the new road will be heading south. There will be turn- around access to get onto the other lane at the end of the splitting roads; however, three small bridges will be built for pedestrians and cyclists to cross over to either lane.
The Engineer disclosed that the delays have caused additional costs to be incurred, but these costs are not directly related to the construction work, rather to the civil cost; that is, for the salary of a Supervisory Consultant on the Four-Lane Highway Project, who is being paid on a monthly basis. Also, extra costs had to be added for the construction of concrete drains in the three lots. Monies were not budgeted for this in the contracts.
This delay follows the controversy between BK International, the contractor for Lot Two, and utility company, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) and the Guyana Water Incorporated, regarding the relocation of the utility facilities.
The issues encountered were with GT&T; however, the two are currently working together to relocate the utility facilities.
Meanwhile, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded feasibility study is currently being conducted from Grove to Timehri to expand and upgrade the two-lane highway. The intention of the Ministry is to widen the road to include parking and a sidewalk, creating more space and convenience.
In May 2011, Cabinet had given its no-objection to the US$1.6 million contract to improve the access road leading to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Government had subsequently obtained US$20 million from the IDB for the East Bank Road Extension Project. The main objectives of the project are to enhance urban and sub-urban mobility and safety by lowering transport costs and reducing accident rates via the expansion of the East Bank Demerara Main Road between Providence and Diamond from two lanes to four lanes.
The project is divided into three lots and has been awarded to three contractors.
The 2014 budget provided the sum of $13.7 billion to improve roads and bridges network, of which $12.9 billion will be spent on roads and $844.2 million on bridges. With the completion of the East Bank and East Coast Demerara Four-Lane Expansion Projects, the traffic congestion, especially at peak hours will be reduced significantly, thus allowing for a smoother and faster traffic flow. (Guyana Times)
KINGSTON - Rescuers intensified a search on August 14, 2014 for the two men who remain missing after a Motor Tanker ‘Swift Dolphin’ capsizedoff the Corentyne Coast in Guyana waters.
The vessel, which was sailing to Georgetown from Suriname, capsized on Tuesday August 12, 2014 around 21:10 hrs about 49 nautical miles at St. Andrews Point. The Captain and a crew member are still missing.
A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) skyvan did an aerial reconnaissance of the area. In addition, the Hampton Rose – re-supply vessel - was deployed to the area. It departed the Boat House, Stabroek Market at 14:30 hrs and is expected to reach the site around 21:00 hrs - August 14.
According to Harbour Master (ag), Michael Tennant, three Surveyors, a diver and a Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard Officer are onboard Hampton Rose. Upon their arrival they are tasked with marking the wreckage, and scour the area for the missing men.
Furthermore, Oldenboff a bauxite company that operates out of the Berbice River has also dispatched a vessel to join the rescue exercise.
Meanwhile, the two rescued crew, who are onboard MV Joanna I, are expected to arrive sometime last evening at Port Georgetown. There they will be met by MARAD officials, Coast Guard, members of the Guyana Police Force and a Government medical officer.
MARAD’s Search and Rescue Centre remains activated.
No conclusion has been arrived at as yet with respect to the fate of the missing men.
KINGSTON - Maintenance to critical sections of the Linden/Lethem road has commenced with works to be completed by mid-September. The work is intended to cut travel time by four hours.
Currently, it takes approximately 16 hours to commute to Lethem from Georgetown using a minibus.
The critical sections will be resurfaced with lateritic material and compacted.
The contractors employed for this project, which is being executed in phases, are: Troy Resources; Omai Gold Mines (OGM); Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL); Mekdeci Machinery and Construction (MMC) and Vevakanand Dalip Enterprise (DALIP).
Below is a breakdown of the contractual works:
Contractor
Length of road (miles)
Date of commencement
Troy Resources
0 – 26
August 1
Omai Gold Mines
26-65
August 11
DTL
65 – 84
MMC
84 – 135
135 – 200
DALIP
242 - 276
August 12
Meanwhile, Minister Benn stated that for sustainable works to be carried out on the road – the weather had to improve. “Any works before this would have been lost to the rains.”
He added that the Ministry intends to establish toll stations on the critical hinterland roads to support the year-round maintenance efforts required and to limit abuse of the road from the aspect of load carriage and safety. It is also proposed to establish a basic toll with escalation for overloading and wet passage conditions.
The Linden/Lethem road is one of the projects that falls under the hinterland road rehabilitation programme. For 2014, the Ministry has set aside GY$1.08B to facilitate repair roads countrywide.
KINGSTON - Director, Maritime Safety, Captain Stephen Thomas and Chief Port Security Officer, Major Dwain Nurse of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) represented Guyana at the first Sub-Regional Seminar on Maritime Surveillance, Monitoring and Communications Systems for Maritime Security in Antigua during the period July 28 to 31, 2014.
Other participants were drawn from countries around the Caribbean such as, the Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and, Antigua and Barbuda.
The Seminar was sponsored by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS).
Some of the subject areas covered in the Seminar includes Security Measures for Port Facilities, Ship Tracking and Monitoring, Security Measures Onboard Ships, and Security Measures for smaller (Non-Safety Convention) ships.
Meanwhile, the ceremony was opened by theHonourableSteadroy Cutie Benjamin, the Acting Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Some guest speakers included Tracy Peverett, Head of the Maritime Security Section of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Captain Michael Brown (Retired) of the United States Coast Guard.
These two senior officers have already begun to share their knowledge with their colleagues. The Maritime Administration Department in its continued effort to promote maritime safety and security will continue to work closely with the IMO, Regional States, and the shipping industry.
