PETERS HALL – Ten drivers were either detained, warned or fined for offences while traversing the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) for the month of September.
Data revealed that the most serious traffic breach occurred when a driver collided and broke two of the bridge’s barriers September 15. The culprit was fined $10,000.
Failure to adhere to instruction, overtaking on Bridge, vehicle collisions and breech toll regulation were among the offences that were reported.
TIMEHRI - If a plane crashes at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) how effective will be the rescue response?
On November 6, 2013, a full scale preparedness exercise will be unleashed to test the airport’s emergency responses while providing hands-on experience for airport and airline staff, hospitals, fire service, security and other emergency personnel.
During the simulated exercise, personnel will respond as in a real scenario, including the use of sirens, firefighting equipment and other emergency vehicles.
An Airport Emergency Committee, which usually plans for any emergency at the Airport, began preparation for the exercise more than six months ago in developing the scenario and coordinating the logistics for the large-scale event.
Ramesh Ghir, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) explained that "the simulation is a great opportunity to test the airport's readiness to respond to any emergency. We always have to ensure that key airport stakeholders and first responders are aware of their roles in the event of an emergency where timing and coordination are key elements to saving lives and saving expensive assets. The full scale emergency exercise takes place every two years and is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”
Meanwhile, a script outlines exactly what areas will be tested during the exercise. This criterion was crafted by experts from various law enforcement and health agencies.
"The element of surprise is key. The first responders will respond to the scene of the accident and these personnel will be tested on how they will react in a real emergency when making decisions," said Andre Kellman, the airport’s Deputy Operations Manager, who is coordinating the response for emergency personnel during the exercise.
Testing, testing
A sign test was conducted on October 23 at the proposed crash site. According to Kellman, clear signages are important because they lessen the chaos and traffic congestion during a ‘real life incident”.
“Traffic control is a major challenge…so we want to get the signs right which will guide the police and other emergency crew to the scene,” he explained to Committee members.
Moreover, the roles that each agency will play in the exercise were also cemented at the October 23 meeting. The Guyana Defence Force, Customs and Immigration, Ministry of Health, Caribbean Airlines, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Civil Defence Commission and the Guyana Police Force are among the stakeholders for the November simulation exercise.
KINGSTON - The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) for the first time in the history of the Department has employed females as part of its cadet training which is currently ongoing.
The batch of 22 marine cadets which comprises of 17 males and 5 females is pursuing training in Marine Inspection and Piloting and they have completed one year so far.
This programme, which is scheduled for a four year period, will expose the cadets to various vessels (both local and foreign) so that they can acquire the necessary sea time and experience.
KINGSTON - It is unfortunate that the issue of cash crop and poultry farmers, who are squatting on Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), has been misconstrued in some sections of the media.
The Ministry’s objective, in collaboration with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), has always centered around communication and feedback.
The Ministry has been engaging the farmers for several years – through letters and verbal communication - advising them of the airport’s expansion project and the imminent need for them to relocate. In fact, assistance was offered to expedite the application process for lands so that farmers would be able to maintain their livelihood at alternative locations.
But despite these efforts, many of the farmers continue to cultivate on airport lands - although they are aware these lands are crucial for the extension of the runway.
KINGSTON - A workshop designed to identify road safety challenges in Guyana and their corresponding solutions in accordance with international standards was recently held at the Ministry of Public Works (PWM) conference room.
For two days – October 14 and 15 – internationally acclaimed son of the soil, Professor Bhagwant ‘Rohan’ Persaud of Ryerson University, Canada facilitated questions from 35 participants.
The interactive sessions also provided an understanding of rational safety management processes and the variety of state of the art tools, processes and methodologies used worldwide.
Further, Professor Persaud, who has over four decades of experience under his belt, placed emphasis on the designs of safer roads, identification of ‘black spots’ and implementation of appropriate road safety treatment measures. The achievement of red light running cameras and covert speed radars were examined and debated as options that could complement the work of traffic officers in Guyana.
Dr. Persaud served as Deputy Chief Engineer, Roads before migrating to Canada in 1979. He is recognized internationally as an expert in the area of statistical methods in highway safety analysis. He has been, and is currently involved in a variety of safety research projects for the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Transportation Association of Canada, Transport Canada and several states, provinces and municipalities.
The participants came from the MPW, Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE), Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), University of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department.
TIMEHRI - Three staffers of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) - the corporation executing the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project - were confronted by cutlass-wielding individuals who robbed one of them of a cell phone on October 12. The incident occurred around 1:45 pm.
Investigations revealed that the CHEC staff were back filling sand to the north of the existing runway when three persons approached the sand truck operator menacingly with a cutlass ordering him to stop the operation which he readily did.
The trio, alleged to be cash crop farmers in the area, left and went across to the CHEC technicians some distance off and violently stole a cell phone valued US$500 from the pocket of one of the men. Meanwhile, another employee was gripped by his neck by one of the perpetrators.
The Ministry of Public Works strongly denounces this incident which sends a wrong message to foreign nationals working for Guyana’s development.
The Timehri police are investigating the matter and two persons so far have been arrested.
KINGSTON - Patrick Kellowan is reportedly missing following a boat collision which occurred on October 12 in the lower Pomeroon River.
According to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the mishap happened approximately 21:50 hrs.
It is alleged that Edroy Gill, 22; Marloh Chappelle, 66 and Kellowan, 49 left a cricket match under the influence of alcohol and boarded a Ballahoo - and while proceeding up the river collided with a fishing vessel, which allegedly had no lights. The impact caused Kellowan to be tossed in the river where he immediately went down.
The police is currently investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, MARAD officials have expressed their regret at this unfortunate incident and will be conducting an immediate investigation.
KINGSTOWN - The tedious process of disembarking at Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Piarco International Airport, passing through security before boarding an aircraft to the United States will be something of the past - effective November 1, 2013.
The United States of America Transport Security Administration (TSA) has approved the request for the alternate procedure to be applied for GEO passengers transiting in Port of Spain (POS).
Hon. Robeson Benn, Minister of Transport, is pleased with the decision.
“It means that passengers leaving Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and passing through POS can do so hassle free. The existing process prompted numerous complaints and we had to urgently address the situation with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) officials,” he said.
In August, Minister Benn and Housing and Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali met with CAL Senior Executives including its Chairman, Phillip Marshall and Chief Executive Officer, Jagmohan Singh to address several concerns with the airline including the treatment of GEO passengers transiting POS.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) held a follow-up meeting in Trinidad, and high on the agenda was the re-screening process.
“…so it was decided that CJIA and CAL will jointly approach TSA to review the application for an alternative procedure. Now this has borne fruit, passengers do not have to deplane,” Ghir added.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Lutchmedial, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, T&T Civil Aviation Authority told Minister Benn that he is happy “we have been finally able to resolve this.”
KINGSTON – “Any loss of life at sea is a blow to us,” announced Claudette Rogers, the Director General of Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) on the tragic death of a boat captain on October 11.
Carey Persaud, 49, lost his life during a boating mishap in the vicinity of Kamaira Range, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.
Ms. Rogers expressed her condolences to Mr. Persaud’s family in their time of grief.
She is also reminding individuals to adhere to safe boating practices by wearing life jackets to observe the rules of the sea.
The incident is currently under investigation.
TIMEHRI - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has opened a Community Relations Office as part of its mandate to ensure that the relocation process of individuals squatting on airport lands be a seamless one.
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and CJIA were the architects behind the move.
Dursatty Doodnauth-Mangru, the airport’s Commercial and Administration Officer, is optimistic that the squatters will appreciate that the facility is trying to improve community relations as the airport expansion project shifts into drive mode.
The office was set up on October 1 and is being manned by Tenisha Trotman.
