Archives for May 6, 2016
Several roads in Linden in deplorable condition
Inclement weather over the past few days has left several already “substandard” roads in Linden in a deplorable state.
They noted that some of the roads have gotten worse, with a few impassable. Because of this minibus and taxi drivers are refusing to venture into some areas, according to residents.
NATA moves to Court of Appeal to block renaming of Ogle Int’l Airport – not ruling out taking case to CCJ
As the Ogle International Airport (OIA) renaming debacle deepens, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has signalled its intention to appeal a Supreme Court decision not to grant its injunction blocking the change of name to the Eugene F Correia International Airport.
On Wednesday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told the media that the injunction filed by NATA was dismissed, paving the way for Guyana’s second international airport to be renamed at a ceremony on May 9, 2016 that coincides with Independence celebrations.
However, NATA’s Attorney, Christopher Ram on Wednesday told a news conference that the Association has already made a submission to the Court of Appeal seeking redress. A date for that hearing has not yet been set.
Ram was confident that the Court of Appeal would rule in NATA’s favour and the injunction would be granted.
“It is quite possible that this decision can be reversed on appeal,” the Attorney stated.
He also made it clear that if the appeal was not granted, NATA was not ruling out taking the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
The controversy surrounding the renaming of the OIA started when President David Granger, on September 17, 2015 at the commissioning of the Correia-owned Trans-Guyana Airways Beechcraft, urged that the Board of Directors of the Airport consider renaming the facility the Eugene F Correia International Airport in recognition of Guyana’s first Minister of Communications, Shipping and Aviation.
However, nine of the ten operators at the Airport have rejected the proposed name change, arguing that it would create unfair competition, since the name is similar to that of the Chairman of the Board, Michael Correia.
Additionally, they are arguing that the Correias are controlling the Board of Directors and are the owners of a competing airline, Trans-Guyana Airways, which operates out of that Airport.
The nine companies opposing the change are Air Services Limited (ASL); Domestic Airways; Hinterland Aviation; Hopkinson Mining Aviation; Jags Aviation; Oxford Aviation; Phoenix Airways; Roraima Airways, and Wings Aviation – all members of NATA.
NATA President Annette Arjoon-Martins had said the Airport was incorporated back in 2000 with five shareholders, each holding 20 per cent in shares. According to her, they all served as Directors of the company.
“Fifteen years later through a series of manipulations by the Chairman, Mr Michael Correia, the Correia Group of Companies, which he also heads, now owns 67 per cent of the shares in this company. As a result, Ogle Inc has become a member of the Correia Group of Companies.”
She said of the original five founding directors, only two were allowed to remain. More than that, five of the seven directors of OAI currently are either family or associates of the Correia Group, which now controls everything at the Airport.
“It was never the intention of the five founding shareholders/directors that one of the aircraft operators should have control at the Airport. It was also never the intention of the Government of Guyana when they signed the lease agreement with OIA in 2000 that one single operator would control the Airport in 2016. It should be noted that Government had used the word “fair and equitable access” in this master lease no less than 40 times.”
Meanwhile, NATA member Captain Gerry Gouveia has now issued a call for the renaming of the facility to be subjected to a parliamentary debate, similar to what obtained when the Timehri International Airport was renamed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in 1997.
Govt reveals names of D’Urban Park contractors
– defends project against Opposition probing
As the D’Urban Park Development Project continues to face public scrutiny and criticisms, Government has sought to defend the Project, revealing details including the names of contractors.
This follows the submission of a list of oral questions on the Project by Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill during Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.
Despite the fact that Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland disallowed the questions, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson released a detailed statement on the Project.
According the Minister, a total of 17 firms were shortlisted from the Ministry’s prepared list of shortlisted contractors to bid for the construction of timber framed bleachers with a steel framed roof.
Of that number, nine contractors were selected and are on board with his Ministry working towards a May 12, 2016 deadline.
“As per procurement regulations, interested bidders were invited and were required to respond in writing, indicating their intention to provide a bid. Further, they were required to present sealed bids, which were delivered to the Office of the Coordinator of the Works Services Group, as well as visit the site,” Patterson noted.
He added that the selection criteria were based on a number of items, including attestation of site visit; access to line of credit, no less than $4 million, and commitment to provide requisite staff for two shifts per working day.
The Minister went on to say that of the 17 invited firms, four were selected. These include R Bassoo and Sons; House Designs and Engineering Associates; S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Constructing Services; and C and L Construction Inc. They joined TBL Engineering; Chung Global; Mc Branz (Car Care); Barnes and McCoy, who were already involved in the Project prior to the Ministry assuming responsibility.
The Minister added too that the materials for some of the works were procured by the Ministry via direct purchase from its approved suppliers in accordance with the Procurement Act of 2003.
Moreover, Patterson sought to address concerns about D’Urban Park, pointing out that the short-, medium- and long-term benefits to be derived from expending resources on the Park were considered and Government has determined that the cost was justifiable.
While persons have questioned the necessity of D’Urban Park to hosts jubilee events when there is the National Stadium available, the Public Infrastructure Minister noted that the hosting of President David Granger’s inauguration in May last year at that venue highlighted the shortcomings of the Stadium.
“During the inauguration, the Stadium was filled to its capacity of 16,000 persons. This event also caused major traffic disturbances and safety concerns, as noted by the Police and Fire Departments, who cautioned against a similar activity at this venue. It is anticipated that our Jubilee celebrations will be witnessed by more than double the number of persons who attended the inauguration last year, thus leading to greater demand of space,” he explained.
Capacity
According to Patterson, D’Urban Park has a capacity to accommodate some 30,000, making it the largest venue in the country.
Moreover, he outlined that compared to the previous state of the D’Urban Park area, the aesthetic and sanitary transformation makes for a healthier and more wholesome community.
He added that the facility would also be used for a variety of public events beyond the Independence celebrations, including religious ceremonies, food fairs, education exhibitions, musical concerts, medical outreaches, physical training, gymnastic displays and other public rallies.
Consultations
Contrary to concerns raised, the Minister noted that consultations were held with residents of the surrounding community to make D’Urban Park a reality.
In fact, every Government going back to the late 1970s made varying proposals to upgrade the area and it was based on those proposals that the Administration conceptualised the current design of the Project.
Minister Patterson admitted that the Project has had its hiccups, including substandard work on the bleachers, but noted these defects are presently being corrected by contractors following reviews by the Ministry’s engineers.
With regard to works being done, Patterson said his Ministry was working on the completion of Phase One, which is for the Jubilee celebrations.
He remarked that while costs for the phases have not yet been determined, the sum of $150 million has been allocated for the completion of the first phase.
Donors
Responding to concerns about transparency and accountability regarding donations towards the Project, Minister Patterson said all donations before the Ministry assumed responsibility were made to a registered company outside of his Ministry and would, therefore, be audited differently.
However, he stopped short of naming the company and the entity under which it falls.
The Minister further underscored that the Ministry’s responsibility over D’Urban Park would not have financial impact on other scheduled projects, given the sum set aside for the completion of this phase.