KINGSTON - Vehicles using the state-run ferry services increase by 44 percent in 2013 and passenger movement saw a 17 percent jump when compared to 2012.
This, according to Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) General Manager (GM) Marclene Merchant, can be credited to the reliability of the ferries.
The GM disclosed that in 2012 passengers, vehicles and cargo totaled 282,784; 40,611 and 113,257 respectively.
However, those figures climbed in 2013 – passengers’ movements were 331,352; vehicles 58,502 and cargo 125,600. These numbers represented 17, 44 and 10 percent increase respectively.
On the financial front, the revenue generated from passengers totaled $89,540,080; vehicles $227,122,020 and cargo $283,304,112 in 2013.
KINGSTON - An investigation is being conducted by senior personnel of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) following the incident of an Air Traffic Control Officer vacating his post on Saturday March 8, 2014.
The report is expected to be on Hon. Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Works desk by the end of the week.
To facilitate the investigation, three persons have been removed from duty.
It should be noted that the inbound Caribbean Airlines flight to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was in continuous contact and in the control of the Area Control Centre which provided a replacement Air Traffic Controller to ensure the safe landing of the aircraft.
KINGSTON - MV Malali which is currently plying the Parika to Bartica route is expected to be fully operational by March 17, 2014.
Currently this vessel is operating on only one engine, thus it is difficult for her to reach Bartica within the stipulated time period of four hours.
The required parts of the defective engine are expected in the country on March 13, 2014 via MACORP and would be fully operational by the date stated above.
Meanwhile, the Motor Vessel Makouria which is the designated vessel on the Parika to Bartica route, is currently docked at the E.C. Vieira's Dry-Dock for its Scheduled Dry Docking Rehabilitation Repair Works.
M.V. Makouria is expected to resume operation in the first week of April 2014
REGION ONE - Residents of Bumbury Village, North West District, Region One received electricity for the first time on February 22, 2014.
The supply and distribution system was commissioned by Hon. Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Works, when he joined the residents in the area to celebrate Guyana's 44th Republic Anniversary.
Previously, the approximately 2,000 residents of this village relied solely on solar power.
Regional Executive Officer of Region One, Mr. Paul Pierre expressed his gratitude to Minister Benn and the government for the upgrade of the electrical system.
He went on to say that it will improve the quality live of residents in the community
REGION ONE - The Wauna Bridge was officially declared open on February 22, 2014 by Hon. Robeson Benn - it links the main access road to the rest of the Region One, Barima/Waini.
The Bridge, which was under rehabilitation for the past three months, will now make it easy for residents and vehicles to traverse the area freely.
Meanwhile, while he was in the area, the Public Works Minister distributed 60 children’s life jackets to students of the Mabaruma Secondary School, and more specifically to those who usually traverse to school using the waterways.
Minister Benn has continually stressed the need for persons to be safe on the rivers, and in so doing distributed the jackets as a means of promoting safety.
The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has so far distributed some 235 children life jackets in Regions 3, 7, and 10.
This venture will continue countrywide as the message of safety is being promoted by the Department.
TIMEHRI - During the past five weeks, over 800 students were able to get a glimpse into the fascinating world of aviation and its operations at the country’s main port of entry.
Students, teachers and parents were taken in guided tours of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) during the month of February and March.
The highlight of the tours for the nursery and primary school students was the DC-3 Museum– a fully outfitted 30-seater aircraft.
The DC-3 soared to the skies in December 1953. In all, 16,079 were manufactured with approximately 200 still used in commercial operations in 2009.
Besides that, tours are also given to the Terminal Building which included the Immigration Arrivals; Customs Arrivals; Baggage Conveyor Belts; Check in Hall and the Viewing Gallery.
The Airport’s Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), Duty Officers (ADOs) and Aviation Security Officers (ASOs) facilitated the informative tours.
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir, the excursions have been a tradition for the airport for over a decade.
“To see the enthrallment on the faces of the young one is priceless, and we are happy to give them that opportunity to see how we operate,” he said.
Grove Nursery; Success Elementary; Philadelphia Primary, Linden Academy, No. 48 Primary School and Kuru-Kururu Primary Schools were among several to visit the Timehri facility.
From its inception approximately 15,000 students have visited the Timehri facility.
TIMEHRI - President Donald Ramotar along with Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and several engineers on March 2, 2014 visited and inspected works ongoing on the East Bank Demerara four –lane road, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.
The latter is expected to meet its deadline of August 2015 as works are scheduled to commence on several aspects of the building during the course of this year. The East Bank four-lane expansion has a June deadline.
President Ramotar inspected three segments of the East Bank road expansion at Mocha, Little Diamond and Diamond New Scheme, where works are in progress, and expressed satisfaction with the works thus far.
Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA), at the CJIA, President Ramotar stated that the new airport will bring Guyana up to world class standard, which is very important for the country.
Meanwhile, Minister Benn explained that there were some delays with the East Bank expansion, due to several factors including inclement weather, supply of road material, and the removal of utilities. He noted that now that the weather has improved, works are progressing, and the latest completion date is June month-end.
Meanwhile, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir said the airport expansion project is proceeding as planned, and the contractor is currently carrying out excavation work at the end of the runway.
Ghir further said that excavation and back filling works have started on a test section of 160m x 160m of the runway, which is about 10 percent of the runway extension and that in itself, is about 70% complete.
“We anticipate that in a few months we will begin the designs for the terminal building and start construction works on that building,” Ghir said.
The US$150M project is funded by the Government of China through the Chinese Exim Bank. The expansion will cater for a new terminal building with eight boarding bridges, elevators and CCTV. The runway will be extended by 3,500 feet, and there will be eight international parking positions. (GINA)
KINGSTON - A three bedroom building for Florence Tyndall, a 69 year-old woman whose previous home in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara turned to rubble when an aircraft crashed into it last year is 70 percent completed.
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is shouldering the cost which is excess of GUY$10M, disclosed Howard Samaroo, the ministry’s chief Building Engineer.
Andre Howard construction Service won the bid to execute the contract. The one storey building is expected to be completed in April, 2014.
On April, 13, 2013, an American registered aircraft, a twin-engine Piper Aztec with registration number N27-FT, was on a technical survey mission for the Amaila Falls Access Road when it slammed into Mrs. Tyndall’s residence.
Mrs. Tyndall escaped injuries because she was at the back of the house preparing for church when the plane landed on the front of the building.
The two individuals on board the aircraft perished.
KINGSTON - Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, told the National Assembly on February 27 that Government was already pursuing the re-introduction of the Berbice River Ferry, and as such supported a motion moved by AFC’s Trevor Williams in that regard.
Minister Benn said that Government had campaigned on this issue in 2011, promising residents that it will restore the ferry service and return the vessel Kimbia to the Berbice River as it was moving to have a new ferry system designed for the North West District, Region One.
The Kimbia was designed for and previously plied the Berbice River, servicing the Berbice River residents, was moved to North West District in 1997.
Minister Benn explained that the Government has already moved towards meeting with the Indian Government to have a new vessel designed for the North West, and said that by year end, this design will be completed to see movement in keeping its election promise to the Berbice River residents.
Williams in moving his motion contended that the ferry service which previously served a number of communities from New Amsterdam to Kwakwani, providing transportation to hundreds families and their goods to and from the Berbice Coast, was unilaterally removed by Government without any explanation.
He said that this caused many communities to become abandoned and deserted due to lack of significant economic activities, but Minister Benn disputed that, saying that the ferry service was instead removed after efforts to move the economy on the Berbice River went down and gradually people moved out of the communities. “There was nothing to bring out on the boat,” the Minster said.
Minister Benn noted that now, with agriculture and forestry activities ongoing in the area and again the influx of residents, it is time to re-introduce the service, and Government recognising this would have sought to commence proactive measures in this regard.
Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker pointed out that Government did not abandon the residents who remained after economic activities dwindled in the area and the ferry service stalled, but interim measures were in place to allow for movement to and fro.
The bill was also supported on the APNU side by Joe Harmon. When put to a vote, it received the unanimous support of the House. (GINA)
KINGSTON - From Driver to Confidential Secretary, employees across the Ministry of Public Works were honoured for their outstanding performance and dedication.
During the Ministry’s party held at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club last Friday, February 21, 2014 - Irvin Stephens, Errol Ashley, Denise Burke and Indranie Paltoo were named the top staff for 2013.
Ms. Paltoo, a Personnel Officer was adjudged the Ministry’s 2013 Best Worker of the Year; Ms. Burke, Confidential Secretary to the Permanent Secretary took the runner’s up spot while Messrs Ashley, an Office Assistant, and Stephens – a driver in the Force Account Unit - were awarded third and fourth place respectively.
The quartet was given certificates and monetary awards.
Meanwhile, several other employees who were also in contention for the top prizes were given certificates.
Balraj Balram, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary disclosed that the employees were assessed in several categories including attitude to work and attendance.
The Ministry currently has 459 employees on its payroll
