KINGSTON - The country’s Public Works Minister will not condone any company who has a vested interest in bullying and controlling the Government and its people.
“We don’t have any interest in that. We will fight against that, we will make sure that viable good quality product is supplied to the nation,” declared Robeson Benn, at a press conference at his office on Friday, September 13.
He was addressing the stone shortage, which is being refuted by the largest quarry operator in Guyana – BK International.
Hon. Benn told reporters that there has been a shortage over the past two years, and that BK fell short by 40 percent in its delivery, hence the need to import stones to offset the demand.
Volcanic islands St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Dominica are the islands that provide Guyana with the bulk of stones, which Minister Benn deemed “satisfactory”.
“The stones that being imported by the contractors, aggregate producers and others are sedimentary rocks. They are clean and satisfactory…so the attempt to smear the producers is a pretty insidious one,” Minister Benn charged.
The Public Works Ministry, going forward is pushing for “a competitive sustainable source of supply of good quality stones” for purposes of national projects, businesses and private home builders.
“There is no other interest. We believe that a viable price for stone should between $6,500 and $7,500 at this moment. That is what our numbers say from our last run. We are not going to be dealing beyond this discussion with wild misinformed discussions made in the media …presentations by people who have a perverse vested interest in bullying and controlling the Government and the people we don’t have any interest in that. And if it means that for on time good quality delivery of the product has to be facilitated by the importation of stones, well so be it,” the Minister candidly pronounced.
KINGSTON - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project will be going ahead as planned, according to Public Works Minister Robeson Benn during a press conference on September 13 at his office.
When asked where the funding will be coming from, he indicated that last year $20M was approved and advanced by the National Assembly. The Minister noted that the project is a valid one since the contractor is on the ground and equipment is already arriving.
The sod was turned in March last for the project that will improve Guyana’s capacity to accommodate larger categories of aircraft, thereby realising its potential as a hub for flights to and from the North and South America and further afield.
Guyana’s main port of entry will boast a runway of a total of 10,800 feet, a new terminal building, eight boarding bridges, elevators, escalators, three dimensional x-ray scanners, flight information and security monitoring systems.
The length of the current runway precludes larger aircraft from coming to Guyana.
“We want to develop a hub, not only a regional hub for South America and the Caribbean, but also for Trans Atlantic flights from Southern Africa and other parts going out to the East,” Minister Benn noted today.
He also explained that there is a large number of flights from Latin America flying over Guyana’s territory and the implementation of the expansion presents an opportunity for them to land here and transfer passengers.
“So there’s a big opportunity we’re foregoing if we don’t do this project,” the Minister emphasised. Further, the project will enable the effective and efficient handling of passengers and aircraft.
On an annual basis an average 4,000 international flights and 600,000 passengers arrive at the CJIA. These numbers are expected to double in the near future and by the year 2030, triple.
With regards to the relocation of the squatters near the airport, the Minister indicated that he met with some of them on Wednesday and another batch two weeks ago, and the management of the CJIA was scheduled to meet the other residents today to convince them of the need for their relocation.
KINGSTON - We read with great concern BK International Inc. contention that there is no shortfall of stone supplies in Guyana as reported in various sections of the media on September 10, 2013.
There is a shortage of domestically produced stone in Guyana and the government has been advised by the Ministry of Public Works to give consideration to the continued and increased importation of stone for the following reasons:
Contrary to what was reported to the media by BK International Inc., official data from GGMC and field reports from Engineers, Consultants and Contractors all concluded that there is a significant deficit in the supply chain for coarse aggregates in Guyana.
In May 2013, the Ministry of Public Works carried out a comprehensive review of the demand and supply for coarse aggregates in Guyana for the year 2012. This was prompted by the many reports of project delays associated with the inadequate and untimely supply of coarse aggregates in the local supply chain. The Review utilized data and information provided by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Housing and Water, Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development and the Ministry of Public Works. Upon request, data was also received from some suppliers of Quarry products in Guyana.
According to information obtained from GGMC for the year 2012, the total declaration of quarry products from the 5 licensed quarry operators in Guyana amounted to 483, 859 tons (See breakdown in Table 1 below). Of the declared amounts, 277,103 tons (57%) originated from BK Quarries Inc, the largest of the local suppliers. From these official figures BK Quarries Inc average monthly production for 2012 was approximately 23,000 tons.
The average monthly demand for aggregates in 2012 was about 140,000 tons for housing and public projects such as roads, sea and river defence projects as shown in Table 2 below.
An example to consider is the Sea Defence Works. Under the 9th EDF for 2012, a total of 418,762 tons of boulders were required to adequately complete the work program for that year. During that same period the total supplied quantity of boulders was 129,622 tons resulting in an overall deficit of about 70%.
The same could be said for road and concrete structural works as well. In 2012, the demand for ¾ inch aggregates was approximately 819,258 tons while the amount produced by the quarries was less than 10% (63,622 tons) of which 32,842 tons was produced by BK Quarries Inc.
The data speaks for itself and leads to conclusion that inadequate supply of stone on the domestic market can be partially blamed for the delays in the delivery of infrastructure projects and the high prices demanded by the few suppliers.
If this situation is not addressed now, the price for aggregates continue to increase unabated and the supply deficit will also increase. Important projects such as the expansion of the CJIA, Rehabilitation: of the West Coast Demerara Road, East Coast Demerara Road, Sheriff- Mandela roadway,amongst others being implemented as well as private construction and new housing development will be stymied.
The conclusion and action resulting has already seen the importation of stone so as to mitigate against the continuing negative effects of a supply shortfall.
Table1-Summaryof QuarryproductsdeclaredPeriodof 2012(Source: GuyanaGeologyandMines Commission(GGMC)
Products
BK Quarries
Baracara Quarries
Toolsie Persaud Ltd.
Durban Quarries Inc.
Metallica CC Guyana Inc.
Jan-Dec 2012
Percentage
Boulders
105,550
8,450
6,026
-
9,596
129,622
26.79
Under Layers
9,677
4,639
14,316
2.96
7/8"
11,772
2.43
5/8"
4,310
0.89
3/4"
32,842
30,820
63,662
13.16
3/8"
5,987
1.24
1/2"
36,058
6,836
42,894
8.86
1/4"
10,550
2.18
Crushed Stone
72,201
11,908
2,900
87,009
17.98
Sifting
6,730
11,093
261
18,084
3.74
Quarry Cleaning
14,605
3.02
1st Grade
50,504
244
50,748
10.49
2nd Grade
605
0.13
Gabions
4,056
0.84
Crusher Run
13,420
10,977
1,242
25,639
5.3
Total
277,103
110,988
82,030
10,838
483,859
100
Table 2 – 2012 Demand for Coarse Aggregates for infrastructural projectsin Guyana
Details
(Tons)
Under Layers (Tons)
¾”
3/8” (Tons)
Crusher Run (Tons)
Others
2012 Demand
657,133
85,935
819,258
8,061
113,427
1,683,814
TIMEHRI - Eleven young members of the First Assembly Of God Church got firsthand information on the scope and significance of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) expansion project during a tour of the facility on Friday, September 6.
Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer explained in depth the economic viability of the project and entertained questions from the group.
“We encourage such tours to engage the young minds…I am pleased with the sharp questions that were posed,” Ghir said.
The group was chaperoned by Colonel Wilbert Lee, who is a Pastor, and visited the terminal building and the Aircraft museum.
So far for 2013 – CJIA has facilitated between 30 and 40 tours.
KINGSTON - Due to the high volume of poultry production in the periphery of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC), a public awareness campaign will have to be accelerated so as not to disrupt the economic activity.
This is the view of members of the Bird Strike Committee, including individuals fromthe Guyana Livestock Development Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, Public Works Ministry, Guyana Amazon Tropical Bird Society, Bounty Farm Limited and Ministry of Health, at its meeting held on September 4 at the Public Works Ministry’s Boardroom.
Members agree that there is a dire need to educate farmers on proper practices in poultry production which can reduce the mortality rate. This action can reduce the disposal of carcasses. To this end, efforts are being undertaken to begin the process.
Bird strikes are a concern for the Ministry and CJIAC’s officials.
On April 26, 2011 Caribbean Airlines flight BW 662 was proceeding on a scheduled flight from CJIAC to Piarco International airport in Trinidad when it ingested a bird in its left engine. The incident occurred two minutes after takeoff at an altitude of 3,000 feet. The bird strike disabled the left engine of the aircraft which resulted in an emergency landing back at CJIAC.
KINGSTON – True to his word, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn will meet Phase 2 squatters living in close proximity of the airport at the Works Group, Timehri later this week.
Approximately 260 persons living in the area will be sub-divided into three groups – starting from Wednesday through Friday - which will allow Minister Benn and other officials to listen to their concerns, as well as, inform them of the Ministry’s progress on its relocation plan.
The relocation plan is in phases with Phase 1 being the most critical one.
On August 28, Minister Benn engaged the Phase 1 residents of the resettlement plan.
At that meeting, the Public Works Minister acknowledged that the most viable options immediately available for the squatters are either to relocate at Yarrowkabra or at other existing housing schemes. For those who had already applied for house lots, Housing officials were on hand to take pertinent information regarding their applications, while new applicants were interviewed.
“We are committed to work out what assistance or help we can do with the relocation. The only things I could say definitively at the moment, and this matter was discussed at the Cabinet, that the area identified is Yarrowkabra…You don’t have to go to Yarrowkabra you can go to other places but the important thing is that we need pave the way to start the construction of the airport. For those who can move now we are prepared to provide the transportation to assist,” Minister Benn told squatters.
Minister Benn had further stated that if the airport is not expanded and improved to meet the demands of the airlines, the business community and the travelling public then the entire country will suffer economically and more importantly, persons living in the Soesdyke/Timehri area will stand to lose financially
KINGSTON - Over the past two months, staff attached to the Public Works Ministry have been reinforcing a one kilometer section of the existing seawall between Liliendaal to Kitty to alleviate overtopping and subsequent flooding said Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Kevin Samad.
Temporary movable concrete structures, which are not wave breakers, are currently being erected to prevent overtopping.
In light of this, engineers went to the drawing board to review options that would remedy the situation.
“We made an assessment and had conducted relevant hydraulic and geotechnical analysis… when reviewed, the analysis showed that once we heightened [the seawall], it would reduce overtopping. Because what we found is that the waves were breaking before, but when the waves collapsed then we were getting the overtopping,” Mr. Samad explained.
He further stated that the overtopping in April was triggered due to the low foreshore condition, which had reached an unprecedented level allowing large waves to reach the wall, elevating to a certain height, and overtop when collapsed.
“….the eroded foreshore between Liliendaal and Kitty is the main contributing factor,” the Chief Sea and River Defence Officer added.
He also disclosed that engineers have been monitoring the foreshore along the East Coast and realized that the mud bank was moving down.
“The mud bank would have ‘a head and tail’ and the head mud bank is presently at the Liliendaal pump station…it [mud bank] is a big factor in designing coastal structures. When the mud reaches the area where the overtopping occurred the wave actions would change since it would dampen the waves…once you have mud in the system the wave does not come with that intensity; it attenuates the waves. It is inevitable that the mud bank is moving westward and once it reaches between Liliendaal and Kitty - the entire wave system will change.”
Guyana’s coastal region is approximately six feet below sea level.
TIMEHRI - A little after 11 a.m. today August 31 Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, amidst much pomp and ceremony.
He was accompanied by his family and Government officals for a one day visit.
His Excellency President Donald Ramotar and members of his Cabinet were present to greet the Venezuelan President. This is the first visit for President Maduro to Guyana since he became President of the oil rich South American country.
Following his arrival at the Airport, the Venezuelan President and his delegation joined President Ramotar at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) for a bilateral meeting.
The state visit concluded with a social event at the GICC where President Maduro interacted with stakeholders from the civil society.
KINGSTON - A team from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) headed by River Navigation Officer Michael Tennant, visited Region #7 to distribute life jackets to schools several communities in the Bartica community.
In an effort to promote safety on the waterways, 20 life jackets were distributed to the village of Riversview for the school children of the Holi Name Nursery and Secondary schools on August 27.
While receiving the life jackets on behalf of the community, Toshao, Melina Pollard said the life jackets will help a lot in ensuring children are safe while traversing the waterways, and further reiterated "We are very grateful for these jackets as it will go a long way in protecting our children as they go to school."
Ms. Pollard is also inviting members of the public to Riversview this year as the community prepares to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month. She said that the village will be the host village of an activity planned for October 6.
Later in the afternoon, the team visited the Regional Education Officer, Charles Holmes and presented 35 life jackets for him to distribute to the students of the Bartica Secondary School.
Mr. Holmes in receiving the life jackets said it's a good gesture and he's indeed grateful for the contribution, "We know that safety is always important and we are indeed happy for the life jackets at this time as schools are set to reopen for the new term."
Life jackets distribution will continue throughout the country as MARAD's aim is to prevent, end or minimize accidents along the waterways
KINGSTON – One of the country’s newspapers, Stabroek News, was put on blast by the Public Works Ministry for its inaccurate reporting. Below is a statement that was issued by the Ministry on August 29.
The responsibility of any reputable media house is to report the facts and provide fair and balanced stories.
Unfortunately, Stabroek News failed miserably in this regard in an article that is published in today’s (August 29) edition titled “Timehri North residents protest restricted attendance at the relocation meeting”.
While there are some glaring inaccuracies the most serious blunder questions the level of professionalism and groundwork carried out by some of today’s reporters.
The meeting that was held on August 28 catered for those squatters who are living in the key zone needed for the first phase of the airport expansion, and the Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, informed them of their relocation options, including Yarrowkabra.
Officials from the Housing Ministry were present to guide those who never applied for a house lot on the procedure and pledged to fast track those [applications] already in the system.
At that meeting, which squatters in attendance can attest to, and for which both videotape and audio tape recording exist, at no time did Minister Benn announced a $1.5M compensation package or a $10,000 transportation fee for their relocation.
The hear-say syndrome which seems to be practiced by some media houses needs to addressed urgently – after all they are required to be the gatekeepers of the truth.
Filtering unchecked information to the public not only puts the media houses in a bad light but it also highlights the deterioration in quality reporting.
