A replica of the Demerara Harbour Bridge that was previously proposed
WORK is currently being done to put arrangements in place for the construction of a new Demerara River crossing as expressions of interest (EoI) for the design, construction and financing options for a four-lane high-span bridge are being addressed.
This was according to Minister of Public Works, Bishop Edghill, during the presentation of Budget 2020 on Wednesday. “Mr. Speaker, we speak of the lamentable and pedantic efforts by the past regime to conclude any arrangement for the construction of the new Demerara River crossing. This Honourable House will recall the impropriety surrounding the conduct of the feasibility study for the bridge and the feeble effort to launch an Expression of Interest (EOI), which was a phenomenal adventure in incompetence. Within the last few weeks we have re-kindled huge interest in this project,” Minister Edghill said. The APNU+AFC administration, after it assumed office in 2015, said that it would be feasible to have the existing bridge untouched and to construct another link somewhere in the vicinity of the 42-year-old link.
The former government had commissioned a feasibility study, which was awarded to Dutch Company, LivenseCSO. The awarding of that contract was marred in controversy, with Auditor General, Deodat Sharma flagging major breaches of Guyana’s financial laws. The move by the Audit Office to “investigate” the project came after the completion of an investigation by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) in 2018. The PPC report made clear that there were indeed deviations from standard procurement procedures. It was noted that several companies had submitted bids for the project, with 12 companies being shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12 companies made proposals. As a consequence, the bidding process was annulled.
In November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered, but that was not done. The company ultimately got the contract with cabinet’s blessings. The New Demerara River Bridge is expected to connect Houston on the East Bank of Demerara and Versailles on the West Bank.
By: Guyana Chronicles
Date: 10 September, 2020
– Passengers can be fined up to $3M, jailed for 5 years
Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued an updated set of safety and public health guidelines for passengers, airports and aircraft operators as it relates to COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone in breach of the rules such as the failure to wear a mask or acting in a manner to endanger the health of others can result in a fine totalling $3M as well as jail time. With the incoming repatriation flights and the airports set to open on August 28, Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field, indicated that these measures are absolutely necessary while noting that he sees the penalties as the only way to ensure compliance.
According to the GCAA, a person who refuses to wear a mask will be denied boarding on any aircraft. In addition, passengers who do not adhere to the safety requirements and preventive measures on the aircraft shall be removed prior to departure. That person can also face a fine of $50,000.
Furthermore, any individual who acts out in a manner that endangers an aircraft or any person in it is liable to a fine of $3,000,000 and five years imprisonment. If a person fails to comply with commands directly given the by the pilot or a crew member, that person is liable to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for three months. A person can also be charged $1,000,000 for using threatening words and actions in an airport or aircraft.
Kaieteur News understands that passengers must also wear appropriate facemasks which include medical facemasks as well as the N95, KN95 and FFP2 approved masks. The facemasks may be replaced after four hours on the aircraft or after it becomes soiled or wet.
The regulations also stipulate that aircraft operators are required to provide to the Ministry of Public Health with passenger identification information, their travel details and contact details for contact tracing purposes.
Failure to adhere to this regulation can result in an aircraft operator being liable to a fine of up to $500,000.
Passengers coming on these flights are required to produce a negative testing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test. However, children under 12 whose parents have produced negative tests will not be required to produce one as well.
The GCCA is urging that passengers exercise full compliance to aid in a healthy aviation environment and smooth running of services once the airports reopen.
By: Kaieteur News
Press Release
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 – The Ministry of Public Infrastructure wishes to respond to an article published in the Stabroek News on Thursday, January 29, 2019, under the headline “Ann’s Grove residents call for needed drainage works.” Due to this report, the Ministry’s National Task Force Commission (NTFC) technical team conducted two site visits, one on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, to the Grove/ Haslington Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) and another on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, to the Community Development Council (CDC).
At the latter site visit the CDC’s Chair, Ms. Tracy James, and residents from the proposed affected communities highlighted in the Stabroek article were present. On this site visit the Ministry’s National Task Force Commission technical team observed that the Ann’s Grove east sideline areas were cleaned. It was reported by Ms. James that the front land drains were cleaned by the CDC under a contract with the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA) while the backland was cleaned by community farmers.
The Ministry would also like to inform the residents of Ann’s Grove that an NDIA excavator is currently excavating drains in the backland and it will subsequently reach the front lands to conclude works.
Like any rehabilitation works the NDIA had encountered challenges along the way. One such challenge was the encroachment of drainage shoulders to be cleaned both mechanically and manually. For example, the NDC cross drainage south of the old Mahaica canal. Despite the challenges, the drain has been cleaned manually.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is pleased to notify the residents of Ann’s Grove that drainage and other infrastructural works are ongoing in this area and other alike. The Ministry’s aim is to assist farmers and residence to enjoy a clean and productive environment.
It is our Ministry’s wish that you would be kind enough to publish the above article so a balanced picture can be portrayed.
By: Ms. Krest Cummings
Senior Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Public Infrastructure
Project funded by the European Union
"Guyana has to pay more attention to girls and women in science and maths".
Forum explains that science, technology, engineering and math subjects are at the core of the modern economy. Soon it will be difficult to imagine a job without passing one of these subjects. Already, they are a prerequisite for an increasing range of exciting job opportunities.
Press release
Monday, February 11, 2019 - To mark international Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) day, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and European Union Delegation to Guyana, with support from the Ministry of Education, launched the third and final campaign to promote STEM for girls in Guyana, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday, February 11, 2019. The event was attended by 200 persons who included representatives of some 15 Secondary schools from regions three, four, five and ten.
“This is the 21st Century, and we realize that most of the jobs that are available are going to be jobs that incorporate STEM. So, the entire #GyGirlPowercampaign is to encourage our girls to re-think, and hopefully, choose careers in STEM. For this it is important that they take the science and technical streams in school,” explained Marissa Massiah, HR Manager from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, C.C. H. Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana, phenomenally celebrates young girl’s self-worth and the importance of their ability to make themselves great. Professor Griffith alluded to the significance of one child, one teacher, one book and one pen, he explained to the young girls gathered at the conference that it essentially it's just one to excel and make a difference in their sphere.
Dr. Dawn Fox then shared a mind-blowing presentation on her personal journey in becoming a scientist. Dr. Fox explained to the young girls that science is a fascinating subject that allows us to appreciate life and our surroundings more.
This campaign will see the release of 10 new promotional videos. For three consecutive years, the campaign has interviewed/interacted with women to learn more about their experiences working in a wide range of STEM-related fields. A number of the videos capture interviews with well-respected figures who strongly support the sentiment that in order to get good jobs, creative jobs, and good salaries, girls need to apply themselves more seriously to STEM subjects. This is of importance also for the economy of Guyana. As Petal Punalall-Jetoo, National Science Coordinator and Head of Science Unit, puts it, “in Guyana, we’re short of STEM skills for both males and females. Sometimes we have to import skills. There are lots of opportunities in research, industry and manufacturing, food production, education.”
The project ‘Women in Engineering and Technology Awareness campaign’ which included the three-year #GyGirlPower campaign was funded by the European Union as part of the gender approach in the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZM). The ICZM is ongoing since 2017 and will continue up to 2021 with a budget of EUR 30 Million funded by the European Union. The promotion of gender equality is an important principle for the EU, as a basic human right, but also for the benefit of the family, the community, even the national economy. "The European Union seeks to promote equality and to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, language, religion or belief, minority state, age and sexual orientation by legislative and non-legislative measures. In its development cooperation, the European Union's goal is to implement the gender dimension in all different policy fields, from employment to health, from research to education, just to name a few.
The 2019 campaign videos will be released over the coming weeks. The videos from the previous campaigns can also be found on Facebook or Youtube by typing in the hashtag #GyGirlPower or #STEMworks.
For more information contact Marissa Massiah at marissa.massiah@gmail.com
