TIMEHRI - Squatters, who are in the critical pathway of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) expansion were today, August 28 afforded the opportunity to apply for house lots as Government forges ahead with its relocation plan of the illegal occupants.
At least 25 residents turned out to hear what Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, and other officials had to say. A group of agitated residents protested outside against not being able to join the meeting which was intended for those persons living in the immediate path of the airport expansion.
According to Minister Benn, the most viable options immediately available are either to relocate at Yarrowkabra or at other existing housing schemes. For those who have already applied, 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 stated.
The Minister further noted 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.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting persons claiming to be official representatives of the squatters demanded to be part of the audience. In light of this, Minister Benn explained that his ministry, along with key stakeholders, has agreed to relocate the squatters in phases.
“In terms of the immediate construction, you are the Phase 1 persons. Persons who are not immediately affected by the building or the extension of the runway will be looked at in Phase 2, and there is a Phase 3.”
Squatters were warned
Despite the numerous warnings by the Ministry over the years, persons continued to expand their living quarters on the Airport’s land.
In 1990, the Guyana Lands and Survey recorded 16 structures most of which belonged to the Guyana Defence Force. However, in 2002, a Housing Ministry survey recorded a significant upsurge – 216 dwellings were documented. Two other surveys executed in 2008 and 2013 revealed that those number s climbed to 299 and 325 respectively.
And now that the land is required for the airport’s expansion, Minister Benn pointed out; political pundits are using it for their own agenda.
“But I want to say this clear here, this is not just the interest of the Ministry of Public Works, or simply the interest of the Government – it is the public’s interest,” he charged.
Against this backdrop, Minister Benn urged the squatters to work with him to “make this process as seamless as possible.”
There are approximately 49 squatters in the Phase 1 of the Ministry’s relocation plan.
KINGSTON - Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, held candid discussions with his senior managers last week in a bid ascertain departments' strengths and weaknesses, and find ways to afford Guyanese the best quality service.
The one day meeting was held in Anna Regina.
It is something that is done on a monthly basis where the heads of departments are able to trash out any problems within their respective organization.
“Critical decisions are made to improve the quality of service we provide to the public,” Hon. Benn said.
Several departments fall under the ambit of the Work Ministry including: Works Services Group, Transport and Harbour; Maritime Administration Department; Demerara Harbour Bridge; Guyana Civil Aviation and Authority and Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
TIMEHRI - Yeolena Callender and Ivelaw McNaughton are the newest batch of Cheddi Jagan International Airport staff to be recognized for their dedication and hard work for the period January to June 2013.
At a simple ceremony held recently, Senior Personnel Clerk, Callender and McNaughton, an Aviation Security Officer, were given tokens and monetary gifts by CJIAC’s management.
Ironically, Callender who is on the organizing committee had no idea that she was chosen for the coveted position. She has been with the Corporation since 2009, while McNaughton began his stint in 2012.
This is the seventh year that employees are honoured for their outstanding contribution to the facility.
TIMEHRI - The owners of businesses that line the access road en route to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation’s departure/drop off area have vowed to work along with management to tackle noise nuisance; garbage pileups and illegal parking.
Administration and Operations Officer, Dwayne Butters and Assistant Supervisor of Aviation Security Terry Thomas engage several owners on ways and means to address the issues last week.
“Help us so that we can help you,” Mr. Butters appealed to owners.
He informed them that vehicles, especially on Friday evenings, are parked haphazardly in the ‘no parking zone’ which creates a “traffic nightmare” for departing passengers.
“What we also found is that each shop would play music and they all want to outplay each other…so you could imagine the noise level,” Mr. Butters told owners.
Furthermore, the Admin and Operations Officer cautioned them to remove any garbage from their respective establishment as often as possible. Failure to comply, he added, could result in hefty penalties imposed. “In addition to that, we want to reduce the dog population in and around the airport.”
To ensure that these issues are adhered to, the CJIAC will implement a system whereby security personnel will patrol the area periodically to maintain order, Mr. Thomas disclosed.
The owners were also given contact numbers for airport personnel to make reports. Currently, 12 businesses are in operation.
KINGSTON - The Caribbean Airlines Ltd. executive team from Trinidad met with Government of Guyana Ministers – Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; and Minister Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Work and Transport; private sector representatives, representatives from the THAG, GTA and CJIA CEO, Ramesh Ghir.
The meeting sought to address key and critical issues such as the customer service of Caribbean Airlines, in-transit process and security checks of Guyanese passengers at Piarco International Airport, Caribbean Airlines’ capacity, airfare, and Caribbean Airline’s flag carrier status.
The Caribbean Airlines team from Trinidad, accompanied by Mr Carl Stuart, Airport Manager, included Mr Philip Marshall, Chairman of the Board, Mr Jagmohan Singh, CEO (ag); and Ms Nalini Lalla, Corporate Secretary.
According to Minister Ali, this engagement is critical to combating the negative perceptions perpetuated against Caribbean Airlines. Given this fact, Minister Ali assured that the Government, and by extension the people of Guyana, recognise the role that Caribbean Airlines has played in attempting to fill the gap in Guyana’s airlift capacity.
Ali impressed upon the need for both Caribbean Airlines and Government of Guyana to improve the partnership and to formulate a strategy that would define the way forward in the best interest of all stakeholders involved.
Mr Marshall assured that “the people of Guyana are important to the heartbeat of Caribbean Airlines,” and the fact that the delegation is meeting with the Government and private sector representatives points to its willingness to forge new partnerships.
One of the critical means of accomplishing this, he added, was to establish a formal communication structure through which important concerns can be quickly directed to the senior management of Caribbean Airlines.
To reiterate, Caribbean Airlines Chairman said that although there are constraints Caribbean Airlines will continue to build improved partnerships with the Guyanese travellers.
On the issue of pricing, the Chairman said that the next step is for Caribbean Airlines to review the current price structure so that all customers can benefit.
TIMEHRI - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation’s (CJIAC) financial performance for the first half of this year – January to June - has set a solid platform for continued solid and sustainable year.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir, in his half yearly report, announced a nine percent or GYD$44M increase in revenues for the Airport. So far, CJIAC has accumulated GYD$542M compared to GYD$498M in 2012 for the same period.
The climb in income, Ghir stated, is “due to the increase in non aeronautical earnings and stringent debts management strategy adapted by the Corporation.”
Furthermore, of the income collected, $335M was transferred to the Consolidated Fund – that figure represents a 12 percent hike in comparison to 2012 when $300M was transferred.
This performance follows the recording breaking one in 2012 where the Corporation earned a sum of GYD$1.120B.
KINGSTON - The Public Works Ministry has terminated a multi-million dollar sea defence contract that was undertaken by Toolsie Persaud Quarries Inc (TPQ) and suspended the contract for M&B Construction due to the companies’ unsatisfactory performance and total disregard for residents’ convenience and safety.
The subject Minister, Robeson Benn, on August 14 requested that his engineers suspend M&B’s contract until the contractor repairs a two mile stretch of road in Maria’s Pleasures, Wakenaam. The trucks used to transport the boulders have damaged the road – impeding the free flow of movement in and out of the community.
“I was in the area yesterday and many residents bemoaned the fact that they really cannot use the road. It is evident that they traverse it with great difficulty,” Minister Benn said.
The Minister further stated that the contractor, Mahendranauth Oodit, was warned before about using heavily loaded trucks on the road. The company commenced the construction of Rip Rap Sea Defences on January 16.
“They were told to use lighter loads in transporting materials between stockpiles, and despite several engagements with the Ministry’s sea defence engineers they blatantly continued,” the Works Minister disclosed.
Six weeks ago, Minister Benn visited the island where frustrated residents had begun to complain about the state of the road.
“Now they have to repair it immediately. The contract will remain suspended until the road is fixed. The residents deserve that!” the Minister declared.
The contract is worth $96.6M, and Hon. Benn revealed that the level of damage to the road “may exceed the monies that were allocated for road maintenance in the contract.”
Meanwhile, a $126.8M Toolsie Persaud Quarries Inc. contract to erect Rip Rap sea defences at Cane Garden, Leguan has been terminated for non-performance. The order to commence work was issued since October 2012 for a project duration of eight months.
“The company’s negligence resulted in more damage to the area. And it is something we could not condone,” Minister Benn said.
According to him, the Ministry will not accept the cost for additional works due to negligent collateral damage done by contractors.
The Ministry has since taken over the Leguan sea defence work.
“Guyanese are warm and very friendly people,” declared Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), moments before he boarded a private jet at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation on August 9.
The FIA is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation of the world’s leading motoring organisations.
The sports racing aficionado was on a two day visit to look at initiatives to effectively tackle road safety in the country. Part of his itinerary included courtesy calls to His Excellency Donald Ramotar and other Government Ministers.
And according to Mr. Todt, he was “very happy” with the meetings.
Commenting on his meetings with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) group, Mr. Todt revealed that the discussions were passionate and very strong. “…I know they have plans for restructuring and that which will be [moving] in the right direction.”
Before his departure, the FIA President was given a tour of the South Dakota Circuit, and spent approximately 30 minutes in the CJIAC’s Executive Lounge discussing Guyana’s food and culture.
TIMEHRI - Safety of passengers and speeding were among “a laundry list of issues” candidly discussed during a meeting between the Chief Executive Officer and taxi drivers of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) on August 8.
Held in the Viewing Gallery, over 30 drivers were in attendance.
The meeting came on the heels of a tragic accident that claimed the life of Roopnarine “Blinky” Sooklall on August 5. He was 43.
“We are a service oriented organization. So we also have to focus on safety, our passengers depend on that oath,” Mr. Ghir stated.
He reiterated that taxi drivers are crucial to the daily operation of CJIAC.
In recounting his fond memories of “Blinkey”, the Airport CEO said “his commitment to his job and the service he provided was an invaluable one and he will be surely missed.”
The funeral service for Mr. Sooklall was held on Sunday, August 11.
TIMEHRI – Armed with a wealth of information, Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation employees are now ready to put their communications skills to the test.
For six days, 39 staff participated in a workshop at the airport facility’s Conference Room on how to communicate effectively in the office.
Jean Carol, Training Coordinator of the Public Service Ministry guided the CJIAC staff through the paces of using proper English and how to prepare reports and memos among others.
The workshop was just one of many that CJIA management has organized over the past five years to allow it staff to be constantly trained.
According to Dursatty Doodnauth-Mangru, CJIAC’s Commercial and Administration Manager, the Airport has to maintain its standards and in facilitating such sessions “we are able to uphold our core value which is excellence.”
The workshop was held in two phases. The first batch of participants was trained from July 16 through 18, while the second batch began their sessions on July 29 through July 31.
