KINGSTON - The dredging of the Sussex Street outfall, which when completed would alleviate flooding in communities including Albouystown, is expected to be finished by the end of May.
“The outfall is heavily silted and impedes the discharge of surface water that accumulates in the canal during the rainy season,” Maitland Stewart, a Senior Engineer attached to the Works Services Group (WSG) explained.
The operation commenced on May 2, 2014.
Meanwhile, the Princess Street, Ruimveldt and Kingston outfalls have been identified to be desilted over the next few months.
“These are major outfalls that the Ministry of Public Works will maintain,” Stewart added. Plans are also underway to desilt major canals that lead to these outfalls.
According to Stewart, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) is facilitating the physical execution of the works, while WGS is supervising the exercise.
KINGSTON - The Ministry of Public Works has recently wrapped up the third phase of River Defence Works at Good Success, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).
According to Kevin Samad, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, the project comprised of driving steel sheet piles with an anchorage system and boulders scours protection on the river side.
"A total length of 250 meters was completed at a cost of $338M. It is the third project of similar nature to be completed along the East Bank Demerara corridor – between Good Success/Craig/New Hope area," he stated.
During 2012, two projects that entail works of a similar nature were completed at New Hope and Craig, E.B.D with lengths of 250 metres and 100 metres respectively.The Ministry has also programmed an additional 500 meters of work to be executed during 2014-2016 along New Hope/Good Success, E.B.D. This project will be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) – Third Sea Defence Project
Meanwhile, a contract has been recently awarded to M&B Construction for reconstruction works of approximately 500 meters at Mosquito Hall, Mahaica. The work entails construction of a rip rap structure at a cost of $275M.
PETERS HALL - Privately owned Motor Cars travelling west bound on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) accounted for one third of the Bridge's toll revenue for the month of March 2014.
Over GYD $39M was recorded, which represented an 18 percent increase when compared to the same period last year.
DHB’s monthly report submitted to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn indicated that Motor Cars (P) accounted for 33.63 percent of the Bridge’s income followed by Mini-Bus 19.36 percent and Trucks (2-axle) at 19.30 percent.
The toll for private Motor Cars is $100; Mini-Bus $200 and Trucks (2-axle) $400.
KINGSTON - The construction of a culvert in B Field Sophia, which will trigger mass transportation movement between Sophia and Guyhoc Park, will be completed by May month end.
Kelvin Clarke, Design Engineer, Ministry of Public Works said that the final structure to complete the connection between Sophia and Guyhoc Park is a HDPE double barrel culvert.
“It will be a relief for individuals living in Sophia because then they will have an alternative route which can connect them to Mandela Avenue. At the moment, Denise Street is the only option for persons with vehicles,” Clarke said.
Additionally two other bridges have been constructed in the Sophia community, Clarke added. One is a reinforced concrete structure on steel beams that spans over the Sussex Street Canal, while the other is a 40 feet timber structure over the Lamaha Canal.
The developmental projects amounted to $38M, with Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited (CBCSL) executing the works.
TIMEHRI - Employees who interact directly with passengers at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are being trained in basic Spanish, as part of the CJIA’s mandate to offer the best quality service to its Hispanic visitors.
The two week workshop, which is being facilitated by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and held at the airport's Conference Room, began on May 6 and concludes on May 15, 2014.
Customer Service Representatives (CSRs); Taxi Drivers, Red Cap Porters; Customs and Immigration Officers; Airlines counter staff and Aviation Security Officers are participating in the interactive sessions.
According to Dursatty Doodnauth-Mangru, the airport’s Commercial and Administration Manager (CAM), it was imperative that employees are knowledgeable in the foreign language.
“We have to bridge the language barrier, after all we are a customer service Corporation and the passengers are our first priority,” she said during a simple ceremony to kick-start the workshop.
Ms. Doodnauth-Mangru also posited that “the training could not have come at a better time now that Venezuelan airline, CONVIASA, is already operating in Guyana”. COPA – a Panamanian airline – will begin its operations at the Timehri facility in July 2014.
Meanwhile, Indranauth Haralsingh, Director of GTA, told participants that the workshop is designed to facilitate Hispanic visitors, as well as, promote Guyana’s tourism and hospitality.
KINGSTON - The rehabilitation of the East Berbice Berbice road is expected to begin in October of this year, according to Sunil Ganesh, the Engineer overseeing the project.
According to him, works will start from Main Street, New Amsterdam to Light Town – a 16 kilometer stretch of road.
“The road design, which is being prepared by a Canadian consulting firm EXP in association with CEMCO, is expected to be completed in July, 2014,” Ganesh said.
Funding for the road will be provided through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under an agreement for road network upgrade and expansion, with the Government of Guyana.
The finished product will be an asphaltic concrete thoroughfare.
In the meantime, the Force Account Unit staff and contractor’s efforts from the Public Works Ministry will continue to keep this road trafficable.
TIMEHRI - Several squatter farmers were advised to discontinue farming on Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and state lands - failure to comply will see action taken to bring to an end this practice.
This advice was issued during a joint visit on Friday, April 25, 2014 when officials from the CJIA, Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force toured a section of the lands.
Prior to the ground tour, a flyover was done by CJIA officials to ascertain the extent of the illegal practice.
A particular squatter whose activities are close to compromising army facilities in the area was cautioned to stop. This squatter admitted to not having any lease or permit for the land he is occupying, but promised to stop all operations and undertook to heed the advice he was given. Three other squatters who are operating in the area also promised to comply with the request.
Meanwhile, follow-up visits will be continuous to ensure that the advice will be adhered to.
Over the past five years, CJIA and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) have actively engaged squatters and farmers on their illegal occupancy on lands which are crucial for the airport expansion project.
A committee, chaired by Hon. Robeson Benn, the Minister of Public Works, was established in 2013 to review and pursue options for squatter relocation.
Squatting activity has occurred extensively on CJIA lands including the land required for the runway extension now underway
KINGSTON - The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) wishes to clarify the use and caption of a photograph that showed a section of the Parika Ferry Stelling on Kaieteur News’ front page on April 26, 2014.
The provocative photograph insinuated that part of the Stelling was deliberately left to fall apart or neglected by management so that a new contractor could be hired to pocket billions of dollars.
However, T&HD would like to enlighten the public that the area highlighted on the front page has been cordoned off for the past six months for safety purposes because of its deplorable state. It should be noted that T&HD is seeking finances to repair the section, which had previously housed a Bond. Furthermore, the cordoned off area has in no way disrupted the day-to-day operations of the facility.
In the meantime, T&HD continues to inject funds to maintain the driveway and the wharf that are critical to the Stelling’s daily operations.
It is regrettable that neither the Editor nor Reporter/Photographer of the newspaper sought an explanation from the Department, or even tried to make contact with the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), who has been extremely helpful to the newspaper’s staff/reporters.
KINGSTON - Eight motorcycles were purchased, through the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to strengthen its traffic capability.
The Works Services Group (WSG), a department that falls under the purview of the Ministry, paid GYD $14,815,736 for the motorcycles and their spare parts.
According to Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of WSG, the procurement is part of WSG’s Road Safety/Traffic/Maintenance Department which “is tasked with utilising some of its international funding to plan, implement and execute various projects, which are aimed at addressing safety issues on our road network including the safety and monitoring of our roadways.”
Hon. Robeson Benn will hand over these motorcycles to the Police by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vaughn added that it is only fitting for the Ministry to provide the necessary support to protect “our Human Resources which is our main asset.”
The finance for Police motorcycles was made possible through a loan from the Inter-Development Bank (IDB).
“The GOG would like to thank the IDB for their continuous support or projects such as this,” Mr. Vaughn added.
Furthermore, the Ministry has provided motorcycles and other devices to the Police on previous occasion and will continue to support these joint ventures with the GDF.
TIMEHRI - Over 200 kites will be distributed to arriving passengers - especially those travelling with children – at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) over the week-end, April 19 and 20, 2014 as part the airport’s promotional drive to celebrate Easter.
The initiative, organized by the airport Commercial Department, has been a yearly feature for over a decade.
“We are customer service oriented and it is fitting gesture to welcome home visitors and Guyanese citizens,” said Dursatty Doodnauth-Mangru, CJIA’s Commercial and Administration Manager (CAM).
She revealed that a number of companies partner with CJIA to promote the country’s festivals/holidays, while simultaneously marketing their products. These include Edward Beharry, Windsor Estate, DDL among others.
“In relation to distilleries serving rum punch and other concoctions, these beverages are only served to adults. That is the policy of CJIA and the beverage companies - one that we will never compromise,” Mrs. Doodnauth-Mangru emphasized. “These gestures are usually well received by travelers who come here for the festive seasons.”
She added, “Guyana is revered for its world class rum and black cake…and periodically CJIA and its sponsors provide them to passengers.”
Samples of soft drinks and fruit juices are also offered to passengers.
Meanwhile, the Manager, on behalf of CJIA’s management, took the opportunity to wish the staff and passengers a “happy and wonderful Easter”.
