PETER’S HALL - The construction of two fuel bonds - 500 and 2,000 gallons - with base support in the East Generator Compound has commenced, announced Rawlston Adams, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).
According to him, JPM’s Construction Inc would construct foundation, walls and support for the tanks and the sump at the rear of the bund.
The foundation, walls and support for the tanks are complete. Currently, the piping works are on-going, while the sump will be constructed upon completion of pipe works.
The perimeter fence is also completed.
KINGSTOWN – The Ministry of Public Works continues to push out its mandate by paving roadways for the safe usage of motorists and pedestrians.
Against this backdrop, thoroughfares in and around Georgetown continue to be transformed. In fact, 3,000 feet of Princess Street between Louisa Row and Lombard Street was recently paved.
According to Lawrence Mentis, an Engineer attached to the Works Services Group (WSG) within the Ministry, the cost for the repairs stood at $9,522,000.
“We do these roads because they reduce maintenance of vehicles, increase level of service, reduce fuel consumption and increase productivity,” he added.
Over 20 roads have been earmarked to be rehabilitated.
KINGSTON - A Swedish citizen, who has circumnavigated more than nine countries with her Kayak, has rowed into Guyana for the first time – November 8, 2013.
Freya Hoffmeister, 49, is currently kayaking the rivers of South America as part of her river expeditions. This former gymnast presently lives in Husum, North Germany.
Some of countries she has navigated include Peru, Ecuador, and Columbia and plans are afoot to visit Suriname, Brazil and Uruguay.
Apart from kayaking the rivers of the world, Ms. Hoffmeister is an accomplished businesswoman who successfully built a chain of seven franchise ice cream cafes, a salad Bistro and Xmas shop. A sports enthusiast, Ms. Hoffmeister, has competed in Gymnastics, Body Building, and Skydiving.
Speaking to members of the media at the Ports and Harbour's Boat House [Nov. 8], the German citizen lamented on the challenges encountered so far.
“Paddling and dealing with high currents are usually difficult but I've travelled extensively and know what to expect," she told members of the media, adding that she is the first person to try sea kayaking around the world.
Ms Hoffmeister will celebrate her 50th birthday in May 2014. She intends to spend it in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Meanwhile, members of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) also hosted a reception upon her arrival.
KWAKWANI - An Air Services Ltd. aircraft sustained wing damage after swerving to avoid hitting someone as it was about to land at the Kwakwani Airstrip, Region 10.
The incident occurred at 10:17 h today, November 9, 2013.
According Leola Narine, Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO), a young man who is deaf, alleged run across the airstrip just as a trainee pilot was about to land.
Luckily, neither the pilot nor the young man received any injuries. The right wing tip of the 8RA55 aircraft was damaged.
Safety inspectors from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority flew into the area and accompanied by police spoke with eyewitnesses.
Such an incident could have ended disastrously had it not been for the vigilance of the pilot, posited Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn.
"The Ministry continues to stress the importance that an aerodrome is only for the use intended [to land aircraft]. We have been confronted with persons cutting the wires around the aerodromes to allow their animals to graze and roam free, and in many instances persons use them as roadways,“Minister Benn said. “It is a critical issue that we are wrestling with."
TIMEHRI - All personnel attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will be required to undergo first responder training.
The recommendation was raised during an assessment and review session following a two hour full scale simulation exercise at the Timehri facility yesterday, November 6 - which tested fire, security and medical personnel’s abilities to respond to a disaster.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn was among a team of observers who critiqued the simulation in the CJIA’s Boardroom. A programme of this nature will be developed shortly by the Ministry of Health.
Further, Minister Benn encouraged the emergency response teams to explore the possibility of having their international counterparts present at similar activities to provide an unprejudiced assessment of their reaction to emergencies.
The simulation exercise is part of the airport’s guaranteed process to training international certification. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Customs and Immigration, Ministry of Health, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Guyana Red Cross and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), were among some of the stakeholders involved in the mock exercise.
The exercise is executed every two years.
TIMEHRI - The extension of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway has begun in earnest with the contracting firm – China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) - tackling a trial section in the Timehri North area [beyond the localizer].
The project commenced two weeks ago.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn along with other Ministry and CJIA officials were taken on a site visit on October 31, where CHEC’s Engineers are removing the soft soil (peat) and backfilling the area with sand.
“I know we had some hiccups but I am happy to see works have commenced for this transformational project,” Minister Benn told CHEC technicians.
When completed the runway will be able to accommodate BOEING 747-400 aircraft, and will be extended from 7,500 feet to 10,800 feet.
Meanwhile, the Minister has instructed his Engineers to carry out tests on the soil (peat) found in the area. According to him, peat is produced as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world.
Data has shown that over time, the formation of peat is often the first step in the geological formation of other fossil fuels such as Lignite, which is considered the lowest rank of coal. It is mined in Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Poland, Serbia, Russia, the United States, India, Australia and many other parts of Europe and it is used almost exclusively as a fuel for steam-electric power generation.
Up to 50 percent of Greece's electricity and 25.7 percent of Germany's comes from lignite power plants particularly low grade coal such as lignite
TIMEHRI – Over 200 incoming passengers from New York were greeted with a sweet treat while entering the Arrivals Lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on November 1.
Bags of parsad – a sweet dessert synonymous with the Hindi holiday Diwali – were distributed by members of the Guyana Tourism Authourity (GTA) and CJIA. Diyaswere also handed out to the surprised travelers.
According to the airport’s Commercial and Administration Manager, Dursatty Doodnauth, GTA and other private companies would collaborate with CJIA to celebrate the country’s holidays - albeit Christian, Hindu or Muslim on an annual basis.
“It is about sharing our culture with visitors, as well as, for the Diaspora to value our diversity,” she added.
Diwali is called the “festival of lights”, and is an official holiday today, November 3 in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.
For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. It involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.
These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweetsand snacks with family members and friends.
TIMEHRI - It is a golden masterpiece that many covet but only few can possess.
The FIFA World Cup trophy – was on display for the Guyanese public on October 30 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIAC) in the ongoing nine-month tour ahead of the World Cup tournament in Brazil next year.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony was on hand to unveil the trophy to a sea of reporters and cameramen. FIFA Representative Dwight Yorke, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir, BANKs DIH and other football officials were also in attendance.
The coveted trophy arrived in a Coco Coal branded airplane and has so far toured Costa Rica, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tahiti in the South Pacific before commencing the Caribbean leg of the journey. Its 89 – country tour, including 34 member associations from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) is unprecedented.
Guyana was number 27 on the list.
KINGSTON - The Public Works Minister was gifted with a plaque featuring stamps of women who were instrumental in breaking down barriers in Guyana’s aviation sector.
Avette Richards, sister of Brenda Richards presented Hon. Benn with the plaque on October 29, 2013 at his Wrights Lane’s office.
According to Avette, her sister thought it was a fitting gesture to the Minister since he has been an advocate for pushing women to excel in the once dubbed “man’s world”.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Brenda Richards was unable to give Minister Benn the memorabilia herself.
TIMEHRI - Three employees - two Ramp Attendants and an Airline Security - were dismissed over the past two weeks from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after they were found to be soliciting money from passengers while on duty.
This is in keeping with the airport’s zero-tolerance approach to any such act, which only serves to tarnish the reputation of the Corporation and its Stakeholders.
Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir said that under CJIA’s rulebook, stealing and soliciting passengers for money are serious offences.
“It is my hope that others, who are tempted to bend the rules will see that we mean business. CJIA will not condone such gross dishonesty,” he declared.
Against this backdrop, passengers are being urged to demand receipts for payments made at check-in, and encouraged to report all requests for money or bribery by staff of the airport.
Further, passengers should also note that there is no additional charge for carrying frozen or cooked foods in their baggage, unless they are overweight.
CJIA is advising passengers to report any misconduct of its staff to the Supervisors or Managers of the respective Airlines or the Airport Duty Office (ADO) on telephone numbers 592-261-2261/600-7022.
Meanwhile, Caribbean Airlines Airport Manager, Carl Stuart, commended CJIA’s management for taking such action. “Actually we support and respect any initiative put in place to improve the customer experience.”
He added that CAL has a strict policy for monetary transactions. There is a designated agent for that purpose, and signages advising passengers to collect receipts are visible.
Apart from the ticketing desk, the Departure Tax Office, Red Cap Porters and Secure Wrapping Service are the only other channels where money should be exchanged.
