TIMEHRI - Black cake is synonymous with Guyana’s culture during the Christmas holidays, and passengers arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) this morning, December 16 were in for tasty treats.
A little after 9 a.m., two Caribbean Airlines aircraft touched down and were greeted by the CJIA’s Customer Service Representatives (CSRs); DDL ‘El Dorado ladies’; Edward Beharry ‘Chico man’ and his beautiful helpers, as well as, Windsor Estates and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) ‘black cake’ ladies for the meet and greet event.
Santa hats will also be distributed.
Not to be outdone, CJIA’s Santa and his personal one man band kept the festive momentum going with their own brand of uniqueness. As usual, the duo was a massive hit with the children.
Meanwhile, the students of Success Elementary choir gave youthful yet masterful renditions of Christmas carols while the Republican Steel Orchestra added that ‘pan’ touch of class.
According to Indranauth Haralsingh, director of GTA, there is no Christmas like the one in Guyana.
“It is very proud moment to greet passengers in this style and fashion and it is only Christmas time [we do this] but other major Guyana celebrations including Mashramani, Easter, Phawah, Emancipation and Diwali….this make CJIA unique and one of the friendliest airports in this part of the world,” he added.
The annual meet and greet concludes on December 24.
The Oasis Café, DDL, Windsor Estates, and Friendly’s Restaurant and Bar, Bakewell, Digicel, Candy Corner; Edward Beharry, the Caribbean International Distributors Inc. (CIDI) are on board to make the litany of activities a remarkable and memorable one.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir said that the CJIA’s annual parade, now in its sixth year, will take place on December 20.
“We have a number of sponsors with us, and we will take the opportunity to go into the Timehri North area and share out some gifts,” he told reporters.
He also introduced the airport’s three Customer Service Representatives (CSRs). The unit was established two and half months ago with the view of improving the quality of services offered.
“These persons are on the ground to assist passengers with any concerns whether it be challenges with immigration forms, baggage, [or] if they need a telephone,” Ghir disclosed.
On the security front, the CEO expressed his confidence “that all will be well” since security has heightened.
KINGSTON - The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has given approval for the small passenger boats operating between Georgetown and Vreed-En-Hoop to operate at nights until 20:00hrs, with effect from December 1, 2013.
All of the vessels that are operating during this period were re-inspected and are equipped with all the required navigation lights and the necessary equipment to operate at nights. Lights have also been installed at both termini to further enhance the safety and security of persons using this service.
The Department is continuously monitoring this situation with the view of a thorough evaluation early in the New Year.
The Guyana Police Service is playing an integral part in this exercise to assist in the maintenance of law and order.
TIMEHRI - “We are all about providing quality service, untimed performance and excellent prices,” stated David Gooberdhan, a top Travelspan official shortly after the Boeing 767 landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on December 14, 2013.
With 229 persons on board – including 180 passengers and 10 crew members - the airline joins Venezuelan CONVIASA as the two newest airlines to ply the Guyana route.
This, according to Minister of Public Works and Transport Hon. Robeson Benn, augurs well for the aviation sector.
“We are making inroads hence the need for a new terminal building. With all the airlines I envision that will be touching down at CJIA - the passenger flow will be boosted significantly,” Minister Benn stated.
Meanwhile, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir expressed his appreciation to the airline’s officials for their confidence in returning to Guyana.
The 18 year-old company, with head office based in the United States of America, had halted charted flights in 2008.
ESSEQUIBO ISLAND - As part of its ongoing maritime safety campaign, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on Friday December 6, 2013 distributed a number of life-jackets to some several schools in Region Number 3, Essequibo Islands - West Demerara.
A team from MARAD visited the areas of Hogg Island, Saxacalli, Lanaballi, Aliki and Bonasika in an effort to promote safety on the waterways and specifically to ensure that the children of those areas are safe while traversing the river.
Head teacher of the Northern Hogg Island Primary School, Benedict Persaud, who received the 20 life jackets on behalf of the students of the school promised to ensure that all students wear same when traversing the waterways. He expressed his thanks to MARAD and said the gesture was a good initiative.
At the Saxacalli Primary and Nursery School, the MARAD team also distributed 20 life jackets to the students of that school. Accepting the jackets on behalf of the students, was teacher Ms Carlene Williams who said the students never wore life jackets while travelling the river and they now have an opportunity to be safely attired. She further reiterated that she will ensure that the jackets are continuously worn by the students.
Headmistress of the Lanaballi Primary and Nursery School, Ann Allicock, received 20 life jackets for her school and said this is a timely gesture by MARAD as she was worried about the lives of the children being endangered while travelling on the waterways, "I want to thank the team and MARAD, and will ensure that the children always wear their jackets while on the boats, the timing is very appropriate."
The teachers at the Aliki Primary, Nursery and Secondary School were also very appreciative of the visit by the team from MARAD as they received the 20 life jackets to be distributed to the students of the school.
Acting Headmaster of the Lower Bonasika Primary and Nursery School, Kapil Dave Ramsammy, received 20 life jackets for the students of the school. He expressed gratitude to MARAD for their kind gesture, "We will like to thank MARAD for this initiative and for considering the safety of our children while travelling by boat."
In keeping with the message of promoting safety while traversing the waterways, the Maritime Administration Department plans to further expand the life jacket distribution program to other regions in Guyana.
KINGSTON - Recognising the contributions of more than 50 long – serving aviation sector staffers, Transport Minister Robeson Benn stated that government was prepared to do was needed to address the future demands of the sector.
Speaking at a dinner and awards ceremony on November 7, at the Umana Yana, Kingston, to mark World Aviation Day, Minister Benn acknowledged that much work remains to be done. “We have to recognise that the movement of people by air is the most important, the most significant way of moving people to and from Guyana”.
PETERS HALL – The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) has seen a 5.2 increase in traffic flow between January and October 2013 compared to the same period last year.
The Corporation’s General Manager, Rawlston Adams, in his monthly report disclosed that the percent represents a difference of 13,020 vehicles.
Motor Car (private) accounted for 48.03 percent for the spoke, followed by Motor Car (hire) 14.19 percent and mini-bus (H) - 13.85 percent.
Below is the percentage and toll revenue generated from the various categories of vehicles transiting the Demerara Harbour Bridge in the Western direction during the month of October 2013.
Comparison of West Bound Vehicles for the years 2012 & 2013
MONTH
2012
2013
DIFFERENCE OF TOTAL FROM 2012
PERCENTAGE DIFFERENCE (+/-)
TOTAL
DAILY AVERAGE
JANUARY
237,550
7,663
260,392
8,400
22,842
9.62%
FEBRUARY
222,130
7,660
232,234
8,294
10,104
4.5%
MARCH
242,132
7,811
261,014
8,420
18,882
7.8%
APRIL
244,410
8,147
253,728
8,458
9,318
3.8%
MAY
231,889
7,480
248,992
8,032
17,103
7.4%
JUNE
236,398
7,880
247,482
8,249
11,084
4.7%
JULY
231,753
7,476
263,886
8,512
32,133
13.9%
AUGUST
260,813
8,413
274,783
8,864
13,970
5.4%
SEPTEMBER
246,555
8,219
250,855
5,362
4,300
1.7%
OCTOBER
252,607
8,149
265,627
8,569
13,020
5.2%
NOVEMBER
250,080
8,336
DECEMBER
269,497
8,693
YEAR-TO-DATE (JAN - SEPT)
2,153,630
2,558,993
152,756
GRAND TOTAL
2,925,814
Muritaro, an Amerindian village which is located on the upper Demerara River in Region 10, is still mourning the death of villager Captain Dale Duggin who died in a boat accident on Sunday. Captain Thomas took the opportunity to express sympathy to relatives of the deceased on behalf of MARAD nd promised to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident.
In a continued effort to promote safety on the waterways, 20 life jackets were handed over to Headmistress of the Muritaro Primary School, Clorene Bowen. The life jackets which are for children will cater mostly for those who traverse by boat on their way to school, and will also help to enhance safety on the waterways.
Mrs Bowen thanked the team for its visit as well as the donation of life jackets and promised to have the children wear same whilst traversing the waterways.
The Maritime Administration Department will continue the distribution of life jackets and promote the message of safety on the waterways throughout Guyana focusing mostly on the hinterland communities, all in an effort to curb the recent upsurge of river accidents.
TIMEHRI - Two men, who are squatters in the Timehri area, were caught on Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) plundering the AmeriJet Bond, Timehri between November 19 and 20.
The surveillance led police to Albert Ramjaram and Ryan Waddel. Nearly $1M in office equipment were stolen.
Thirty four year-old Rajaram, also known as ‘Bonnie’ was sentenced to three years for break and enter and larceny offences when he appeared in the Magistrate’s court yesterday, November 25. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
However, his alleged accomplice 22 year-old Waddel, also known as ‘Patchie’ denied any involvement and was remanded to prison until November 29 for another hearing. He was unrepresented.
According to police records, only a computer and backup system were recovered - under a house in the vicinity of the Timehri Fire Station - from the loot.
This is the second such incident in two weeks where individuals have been arrested and charged for breaking and entering.
At the moment, a 17 year-old is behind bars awaiting trial after police confiscated four motorcycles [three of which were in parts]; one camera; one refrigerator; three cell phones; two laptops and one pair of computer speakers in a dwelling in the squatting area.
The Ministry of Public Works had previously and continues to express worry over the security aspect of the dwellings around CJIA including the cultivation of narcotics and thefts on aeronautical and airport facilities.
TIMEHRI - The Venezuelan airline, Conviasa airline made its inaugural flight on Saturday Nov. 24, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, starting a direct service from Puerto Ordaz to Georgetown, Guyana.
The airline, located at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Venezuela is the largest airline in that country, operating services to domestic destinations and to destinations in the Caribbean and South America.
The flight which had on board President of Conviasa Airline Luis Gustavo Graterol Caraballo and other officials was welcomed by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn along with CJIA’s, Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir and Chairman, Ramesh Dookhoo, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Margarita Arraita Diaz and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh, and other officials.
During a simple ceremony at CJIA, Minister Benn said that the airline’s arrival was significant in that it has strengthened the relations between Guyana and Venezuela.
“I am happy to know that within such a short space of time, based on the inspiration of the late Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, to realise the intention of the two presidents, Nicholas Maduro and Donald Ramotar who met just recently and signed a Memorandum of Understanding which identify that the two countries must have air transport links,” Minister Benn pointed out.
He added that the fact that this vision could have been realised so quickly, speaks volume of what can be achieved if the two countries work together. “This is the kind of spirit, the kind of working together, the kind of development and relationship between the two people that we all desire,” he stressed.
“What will spring up from this is a strengthening of economic ties, business, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries that will benefit all,” Minister Benn explained.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Ghir who noted that the flight adds to CJIA’s strategy of becoming the “next generation” hub and also a hub for the Guianas, and will encourage more airlines to come to Guyana, together with the airport expansion project.
Ghir said that the agency is looking forward for a productive partnership with Conviasa in years to come. He assured of the commitment and cooperation and pledged that steps will be taken to ensure that flights will be processed in a timely fashion. “This is a great achievement for bilateral relations and improving transport and enriching ties between the two countries.”
The new air service is welcomed more so at this time of the year when Guyana will be experiencing an increase in tourist arrivals.
GTA’s Director Indranauth Haralsingh noted that this new airline and route will expand travel tourism and trade within the two countries, and boost access to other South American countries. He said that Conviasa is a perfect fit for Guyana because of its national and regional networks.
Haralsingh said that currently arrivals from Venezuela to Guyana for 2013 have increased by 27 percent, and this will help to further increase that, and to sustain the increase in general.
Meanwhile, CJIA’s Chairman Dookhoo said that many persons from the private sector are looking for an easier way to get to Venezuela to conduct business; hence this new airline will be of great help. He pledged to assist in marketing the airline and ensure the seats are filled when leaving Guyana.
Conviasa’s President expressed gratitude to Guyana for affording the airline the opportunity to expand its commercial operations. Caraballo said that this is a realisation of the political will of the two countries’ presidents.
Caraballo said that the trip takes only 51 minutes and will start with once weekly flights and eventually twice depending on the progress. Caraballo expressed optimism that the airline will see growth, in keeping up with the latest technology in order to improve its transport capacity to Guyana.
Recently, Fly Jamaica began servicing the Guyana- New York route via Jamaica and soon Travel Span will begin operations, thereby making the airline industry more competitive.
LEGUAN - Maintenance works are presently ongoing at the Leguan stelling, Region Three.
Workmen have commenced repairs to the timber decking of the stelling structure, while defective planks and beams are being removed and replace with new ones.
Meanwhile, works to defective timber piles are soon to be carried out.
Emergency works were also carried out on the low- ramp of the stelling with timber plank - temporarily supporting the bottom half of ramp which was broken.
Maintenance works to the stelling will be completed soon.
