Former Member
Adding my own opinion, I am hard pressed to hold Minister Benn accountable. He is a professional whose name has never been associated with any corruption. It is through his efforts that the Demerara Harbour Bridge still functions today. I posit that he is a good Minister working under harsh, if not impossible circumstances.
Former Member
Kudos Minister Benn!!!
Surama, Moco Moco bridges back in operation - Works Minister
JULY 3, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS
The bridges at Surama and Moco Moco on the Lethem trail have been repaired and open to traffic once more. They were damaged on Thursday by overloaded trucks, says Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn.
Result of the broken bridge
According to Minister Benn, contractors, Roger King and Cyril King, have been working on bridge structures along the trail. “They have repaired the structures.” He stressed that the frame of the structures were not comprised but the surface of the bridge at Moco Moco was damaged because the driver did not utilize the deck planks. In addition, when one observes the scene of the accident at Surama one may concluded that the driver drove at the edge of the bridge instead on the deck planks. Minister Benn asserted that drivers have to be extremely careful and cognizant of the weight restrictions because heavy rainfall washes away the dirt holding the bridges and creating disastrous situations.
Sources in the district confirmed that truck drivers traversing the trail do not align their vehicles on deck planks which have been placed there to support the weight of vehicles. In addition, the trucks traversing the area are usually overloaded putting pressure on the structures. It was revealed that the owner of the truck that was involved in the fatal accident at Surama usually overloads his truck. This is not the first time that his vehicle was involved in such a mishap.
On Thursday, two overloaded trucks, at different locations were involved in bridge accidents. The first incident which was fatal occurred at Surama shortly before sunrise. While the truck driver was crossing, one of the lengthwise planks at the edge of the bridge, the structure apparently caved in because of the weight and the truck slipped off the bridge and into the creek below. The driver, Ozario Khan, was pinned under the water and died before assistance could be rendered.
Meanwhile, the other accident which was not fatal occurred at the Moco Moco Junction. The truck passed right through the bridge which just gave way under its weight.
Source
Surama, Moco Moco bridges back in operation - Works Minister
JULY 3, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS
The bridges at Surama and Moco Moco on the Lethem trail have been repaired and open to traffic once more. They were damaged on Thursday by overloaded trucks, says Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn.
Result of the broken bridge
According to Minister Benn, contractors, Roger King and Cyril King, have been working on bridge structures along the trail. “They have repaired the structures.” He stressed that the frame of the structures were not comprised but the surface of the bridge at Moco Moco was damaged because the driver did not utilize the deck planks. In addition, when one observes the scene of the accident at Surama one may concluded that the driver drove at the edge of the bridge instead on the deck planks. Minister Benn asserted that drivers have to be extremely careful and cognizant of the weight restrictions because heavy rainfall washes away the dirt holding the bridges and creating disastrous situations.
Sources in the district confirmed that truck drivers traversing the trail do not align their vehicles on deck planks which have been placed there to support the weight of vehicles. In addition, the trucks traversing the area are usually overloaded putting pressure on the structures. It was revealed that the owner of the truck that was involved in the fatal accident at Surama usually overloads his truck. This is not the first time that his vehicle was involved in such a mishap.
On Thursday, two overloaded trucks, at different locations were involved in bridge accidents. The first incident which was fatal occurred at Surama shortly before sunrise. While the truck driver was crossing, one of the lengthwise planks at the edge of the bridge, the structure apparently caved in because of the weight and the truck slipped off the bridge and into the creek below. The driver, Ozario Khan, was pinned under the water and died before assistance could be rendered.
Meanwhile, the other accident which was not fatal occurred at the Moco Moco Junction. The truck passed right through the bridge which just gave way under its weight.
Source
Former Member
Who was the author of letters?
By STABROEK STAFF |
LETTERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011
Dear Editor,
First I would like to apologize for my attack on young Mr Karl Singh, and I will explain why (‘The response of the regional administration to the Region 9 flood was timely and unprecedented’ SN, June 25). New information reaching me yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) has influenced that decision.
Recently, a close relative of Mr Singh visited my office and told me that he was nowhere in Lethem during the flood and as such he could not know of the things mentioned in the letter under his name. I believe that person. While I was in conversation with her, I got a call from another resident who asked me if I had seen a letter in Kaieteur News of the previous day (Sunday). I did not see the letter so on my way home from work, I stopped by the newspaper vendor, Mr Carlton Beckles, and I got a read of the letter.
The letter dealt with the Regional Chairman’s transportation issue and maligned critics of the administration among other things. The letter was under the name of Claire Joseph. I, like everyone in Lethem, know that Claire Joseph is the Regional Executive Officer’s Secretary. This obviously aroused the curiosity embedded in me from my years associated with the military and more recently, as a free-lance reporter for SN, so I decided to do some ‘digging.’
I now believe that the Regional Executive Officer was the author of both letters alluded to earlier. The level of the letters also suggests this. The Regional Executive Officer should know that public servants ought not to write letters to the media unless so directed. I do not know Mr Singh, but Ms Joseph I know, and I think the letter was not drafted by her. So much for knowledge of the procedures that the REO said the “band of disgruntled persons” ought to learn.
As a consequence of the letters, the careers of two young unsuspecting persons could be jeopardised. They could be disciplined to the extent of losing their jobs. The REO in contrast can always pen letters under his own name, since as Chief Accounting Officer of the region, he is so authorized.
Instead of maligning persons, this officer should pay attention to what is happening around him. He should know that my opinion is always sought after in governance issues, even by persons associated with the ruling party. Only recently a driver stopped by me to complain about the high cost of fuel, and as a necessary consequence, the high price of foodstuff in the area. He also told me that a gas station operator, when asked about the high cost of fuel, responded by saying that the Guyanese drivers don’t have to buy the fuel, since the Brazilians will do so. This is what the REO should be addressing: Things that impact directly on the quality of life for the region’s citizens.
Last week, I had visits from persons from Kumu right here in Central Rupununi, and from Tiperu in the South Pakaraimas. Why didn’t these persons go to the REO or the Regional Chairman? It speaks volumes of persons’ confidence in public officials. A resident of Kumu [name given], informed me that her village has been affected by the floods. She said that members of the PPP visited the village and distributed relief to members of the local PPP group. I have a list of 24 families who are perceived to be PNCR who did not get an iota of relief. These are Amerindian families I am talking about, the most vulnerable in our society. Is this an effort to bring these families into subjection and run with begging bowls in hand to the PPP?
The resident also said that there have been no visits by agricultural personnel to her village, a farming community, for as long as she could remember. Is this how the region’s five programmes are doing well? She made mention of 3 houses that have collapsed in the floodwaters: Housilia George, widow, age 60 plus; Glenda Bernard, widow, age 40 plus; Iris Anderson, age 50 plus.
The resident has reported an outbreak of diarrhoea and malaria in her village, especially among children and elderly people. The entire village is made to use water from the Kumu Creek, which is now nasty with the run-offs from the land. She mentioned a shortage of drugs at the Health Hut in her village. The roads are now swampy and there is a lot of water on the land which provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These things are happening only 10 miles away, right under the REO’s nose, while he drives around Lethem in the government’s SUV.
There was no surprise then, when a resident from Tiperu [name given], some 80 plus miles away, reported almost similar happenings in his village. But the resident’s accounts had a different twist. He said that someone at a senior level in his village encourages that sort of haphazard relief, since he only requests relief for persons known to him as belonging to the PPP. This, he said, is harbouring ill feelings among certain segments of the population which are being sidelined.
He reported too that the roads leading to his village are in a mess. According to him, a 20 mile journey to Karasabai, the centre of that sub-region, can take as much as two days depending on the magnitude of the rainfall. He said that there are six creeks along the way that are not bridged, and if it rains, one will have to either swim the creeks – with belongings – or construct a ‘monkey bridge’ to cross. He said that there are frequent flash floods in the area during the rainy season, and this can make the journey hazardous.
According to the resident, Tiperu too has not seen an agriculturist in a very long time. He lamented the fact that these communities depend heavily on agriculture for their sustenance and that they are given no support from the government system. He mentioned an outbreak of malaria in his village when he left there some time ago.
Editor, in Karasabai, also in the South Pakaraimas, relief supplies are only given to persons who would have taken part in ‘self-help’ activities over a certain period of time. The relief effort is being treated as though it is a favour the authorities are granting the residents. I think that international agencies like the Red Cross should let this government know that it is an obligation of governments to render assistance in the face of disasters, whether natural or man-made. But this government is surely using this exercise as an attempt to hoodwink the population.
So you see Editor, Region 9 has a lot of issues to be dealt with, issues relating to the improvement of the quality of life of the people. It is my view that administrators have too many things to do to be maligning and victimizing persons who don’t share their views. That is petty and counter-productive, and only leads to more animosities.
So, like I had promised at the start of my letter, I humbly offer my unconditional apologies to Mr Karl Singh, District Development Officer, Annai Sub-Region. I do hope that the disciplinary bodies take no action against him and poor Ms Joseph.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Editor’s note
We sent a copy of this letter to Mr Ronald Harswack, REO of Region Nine, for any comment he might have wished to make and received no response.
Source
By STABROEK STAFF |
LETTERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011
Dear Editor,
First I would like to apologize for my attack on young Mr Karl Singh, and I will explain why (‘The response of the regional administration to the Region 9 flood was timely and unprecedented’ SN, June 25). New information reaching me yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) has influenced that decision.
Recently, a close relative of Mr Singh visited my office and told me that he was nowhere in Lethem during the flood and as such he could not know of the things mentioned in the letter under his name. I believe that person. While I was in conversation with her, I got a call from another resident who asked me if I had seen a letter in Kaieteur News of the previous day (Sunday). I did not see the letter so on my way home from work, I stopped by the newspaper vendor, Mr Carlton Beckles, and I got a read of the letter.
The letter dealt with the Regional Chairman’s transportation issue and maligned critics of the administration among other things. The letter was under the name of Claire Joseph. I, like everyone in Lethem, know that Claire Joseph is the Regional Executive Officer’s Secretary. This obviously aroused the curiosity embedded in me from my years associated with the military and more recently, as a free-lance reporter for SN, so I decided to do some ‘digging.’
I now believe that the Regional Executive Officer was the author of both letters alluded to earlier. The level of the letters also suggests this. The Regional Executive Officer should know that public servants ought not to write letters to the media unless so directed. I do not know Mr Singh, but Ms Joseph I know, and I think the letter was not drafted by her. So much for knowledge of the procedures that the REO said the “band of disgruntled persons” ought to learn.
As a consequence of the letters, the careers of two young unsuspecting persons could be jeopardised. They could be disciplined to the extent of losing their jobs. The REO in contrast can always pen letters under his own name, since as Chief Accounting Officer of the region, he is so authorized.
Instead of maligning persons, this officer should pay attention to what is happening around him. He should know that my opinion is always sought after in governance issues, even by persons associated with the ruling party. Only recently a driver stopped by me to complain about the high cost of fuel, and as a necessary consequence, the high price of foodstuff in the area. He also told me that a gas station operator, when asked about the high cost of fuel, responded by saying that the Guyanese drivers don’t have to buy the fuel, since the Brazilians will do so. This is what the REO should be addressing: Things that impact directly on the quality of life for the region’s citizens.
Last week, I had visits from persons from Kumu right here in Central Rupununi, and from Tiperu in the South Pakaraimas. Why didn’t these persons go to the REO or the Regional Chairman? It speaks volumes of persons’ confidence in public officials. A resident of Kumu [name given], informed me that her village has been affected by the floods. She said that members of the PPP visited the village and distributed relief to members of the local PPP group. I have a list of 24 families who are perceived to be PNCR who did not get an iota of relief. These are Amerindian families I am talking about, the most vulnerable in our society. Is this an effort to bring these families into subjection and run with begging bowls in hand to the PPP?
The resident also said that there have been no visits by agricultural personnel to her village, a farming community, for as long as she could remember. Is this how the region’s five programmes are doing well? She made mention of 3 houses that have collapsed in the floodwaters: Housilia George, widow, age 60 plus; Glenda Bernard, widow, age 40 plus; Iris Anderson, age 50 plus.
The resident has reported an outbreak of diarrhoea and malaria in her village, especially among children and elderly people. The entire village is made to use water from the Kumu Creek, which is now nasty with the run-offs from the land. She mentioned a shortage of drugs at the Health Hut in her village. The roads are now swampy and there is a lot of water on the land which provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These things are happening only 10 miles away, right under the REO’s nose, while he drives around Lethem in the government’s SUV.
There was no surprise then, when a resident from Tiperu [name given], some 80 plus miles away, reported almost similar happenings in his village. But the resident’s accounts had a different twist. He said that someone at a senior level in his village encourages that sort of haphazard relief, since he only requests relief for persons known to him as belonging to the PPP. This, he said, is harbouring ill feelings among certain segments of the population which are being sidelined.
He reported too that the roads leading to his village are in a mess. According to him, a 20 mile journey to Karasabai, the centre of that sub-region, can take as much as two days depending on the magnitude of the rainfall. He said that there are six creeks along the way that are not bridged, and if it rains, one will have to either swim the creeks – with belongings – or construct a ‘monkey bridge’ to cross. He said that there are frequent flash floods in the area during the rainy season, and this can make the journey hazardous.
According to the resident, Tiperu too has not seen an agriculturist in a very long time. He lamented the fact that these communities depend heavily on agriculture for their sustenance and that they are given no support from the government system. He mentioned an outbreak of malaria in his village when he left there some time ago.
Editor, in Karasabai, also in the South Pakaraimas, relief supplies are only given to persons who would have taken part in ‘self-help’ activities over a certain period of time. The relief effort is being treated as though it is a favour the authorities are granting the residents. I think that international agencies like the Red Cross should let this government know that it is an obligation of governments to render assistance in the face of disasters, whether natural or man-made. But this government is surely using this exercise as an attempt to hoodwink the population.
So you see Editor, Region 9 has a lot of issues to be dealt with, issues relating to the improvement of the quality of life of the people. It is my view that administrators have too many things to do to be maligning and victimizing persons who don’t share their views. That is petty and counter-productive, and only leads to more animosities.
So, like I had promised at the start of my letter, I humbly offer my unconditional apologies to Mr Karl Singh, District Development Officer, Annai Sub-Region. I do hope that the disciplinary bodies take no action against him and poor Ms Joseph.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Editor’s note
We sent a copy of this letter to Mr Ronald Harswack, REO of Region Nine, for any comment he might have wished to make and received no response.
Source
Former Member
The PPP/C is only interested in votes not people in the Rupununi
By STABROEK STAFF |
LETTERS | TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2011
Dear Editor,
I begin this letter by stating that the Rupununi Region should punish the PPP/C by not voting for them. The PPP/C is only interested in our votes and not about the people. Every five years they strut around the Rupununi, bearing gifts like in the days of the early Europeans, only to leave us grappling with our many burdens for the next five.
Everyone knows that the life-line of the Rupununi is the road link from Linden. During the rains of last year, that road was churned into a pulp by the many vehicles that traversed it daily. The government rushed to effect emergency repairs, and Minister Benn personally was present. I don’t know what transpired out there, but there was talk of the contractor and the Minister being at odds over the material to be used. Needless to say, the road was not fixed to the satisfaction of most residents. It would be interesting to know the amount those emergency works cost the taxpayers.
While traversing the road on a regular basis between August last year and March of this year, I noticed a team camped out on the Hunt Oil stretch of road for that period. They had all the machinery to carry out effective repairs, at least to the troublesome Hunt Oil Road. What was amazing was that for that period absolutely nothing was done to the road by this crew. Instead these guys were seen catching fish or birds. It was one big, long picnic.
One day in March I stopped and asked the supervisor when they are hoping to start the repairs. The guy boldly told me that they were waiting on the Brazilians and that they were instructed to move camp to Mertezeiro to fix the Karasabai road. On my return three days later, the camp was moved and the guys continued their picnic in the vicinity of Good Hope, out of sight of passers-by. The Karasabai road is still to be fixed. I wonder how much that picnic cost the taxpayers.
Lo and behold, the rains came again this year, and we heard again, that a team is being dispatched to do emergency works. Is Mr Benn serious? Or is he taking the Rupununi people for granted? Well I am calling on all patriotic and intelligent Rupununians to reject this crass assault on our intelligence and livelihood. They have seen how the ineptitude of the government in relation to this important corridor, has caused the cost of living to sky-rocket, while the standard of living for the ordinary folk has plummeted.
As I am writing, there are approximately three large trucks stuck just 45 miles from Lethem with food and other supplies for residents. The owners have to use smaller vehicles to shuttle in food, which is giving rise to the increased costs. Then we have the electricity situation. It is no high science to determine that every year, at a particular time, the rains would come and cause some hardships to the people. The floods have receded a long time ago and the community is still subject to rationed electricity. The cause? Shortage of fuel. The little Caesars at the powerhouse certainly did not do their homework. One would have thought that as the rainy season approached, the management at the power house would have stockpiled adequate fuel to last them during our ‘winter.’ That exercise would have called for some science. Is it therefore that these cabals are incapable of conducting such an exercise, Editor? If that is the case then they should all pack up and go home. The citizenry is just fed up with the mediocrity that has categorized the services rendered in this part of the country.
The situation has one second- guessing the electricity supply. I did a log for this past week, and there is no uniformity in the change-over from one plant to the next. People have expensive appliances that can be damaged when the power cuts off suddenly and just as suddenly is returned. There has been no notification of these power cuts due to the change-over of engines. In fact it is a privilege when the power company does any notifications. I can hardly wait for the passing of the Access to Information Act, or whatever it is called.
Recently, tractors were issued to every village. These machines are expected to be used for transportation purposes. People will be able to be transported to various venues where the PPP/C has their meetings and rallies, like the congress they had around the Easter weekend. But don’t the people deserve more? Can you imagine travelling in a trailer, pulled by a tractor, on the kinds of roads we have? The doctors will be very busy. One would have thought that given the tractors, ploughs would have accompanied them since a tractor is an agricultural tool. But it does not seem to be in the interest of the PPP/C to have the people farm the land.
Then there are the land issues. There are three cases in point here in the Rupununi:
1. A few families were occupying a plot of land at San Jose, for quite a long time. They were shocked when they were issued with eviction notices by a party person who was granted a lease for a large acreage, which took in the plot that the families were accustomed to calling home.
2. Another party comrade was given title to lands that included a creek that Amerindians would, from time immemorial, use as fishing grounds. A group of men were unceremoniously chased off the creek and warned not to return.
3. A former senior official went in to Katunarib, in the South Central Rupununi, and promised the people that he would give them a herd of goats should they sign the village title. When the title was presented, a large piece of their traditional lands was missing. Rightfully, the people refused to sign, and the goats were never presented.
Then there is the much published case of Chinese Landing Amerindian Village in the north-west of Guyana. A significant portion of their lands were allocated to a miner who, since 1995, has harassed, victimized and robbed villagers of their fair share of the proceeds.
To vote, therefore, for the PPP/C makes no sense, and by so doing residents will be joining the pack. Let us see who we are.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
By STABROEK STAFF |
LETTERS | TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2011
Dear Editor,
I begin this letter by stating that the Rupununi Region should punish the PPP/C by not voting for them. The PPP/C is only interested in our votes and not about the people. Every five years they strut around the Rupununi, bearing gifts like in the days of the early Europeans, only to leave us grappling with our many burdens for the next five.
Everyone knows that the life-line of the Rupununi is the road link from Linden. During the rains of last year, that road was churned into a pulp by the many vehicles that traversed it daily. The government rushed to effect emergency repairs, and Minister Benn personally was present. I don’t know what transpired out there, but there was talk of the contractor and the Minister being at odds over the material to be used. Needless to say, the road was not fixed to the satisfaction of most residents. It would be interesting to know the amount those emergency works cost the taxpayers.
While traversing the road on a regular basis between August last year and March of this year, I noticed a team camped out on the Hunt Oil stretch of road for that period. They had all the machinery to carry out effective repairs, at least to the troublesome Hunt Oil Road. What was amazing was that for that period absolutely nothing was done to the road by this crew. Instead these guys were seen catching fish or birds. It was one big, long picnic.
One day in March I stopped and asked the supervisor when they are hoping to start the repairs. The guy boldly told me that they were waiting on the Brazilians and that they were instructed to move camp to Mertezeiro to fix the Karasabai road. On my return three days later, the camp was moved and the guys continued their picnic in the vicinity of Good Hope, out of sight of passers-by. The Karasabai road is still to be fixed. I wonder how much that picnic cost the taxpayers.
Lo and behold, the rains came again this year, and we heard again, that a team is being dispatched to do emergency works. Is Mr Benn serious? Or is he taking the Rupununi people for granted? Well I am calling on all patriotic and intelligent Rupununians to reject this crass assault on our intelligence and livelihood. They have seen how the ineptitude of the government in relation to this important corridor, has caused the cost of living to sky-rocket, while the standard of living for the ordinary folk has plummeted.
As I am writing, there are approximately three large trucks stuck just 45 miles from Lethem with food and other supplies for residents. The owners have to use smaller vehicles to shuttle in food, which is giving rise to the increased costs. Then we have the electricity situation. It is no high science to determine that every year, at a particular time, the rains would come and cause some hardships to the people. The floods have receded a long time ago and the community is still subject to rationed electricity. The cause? Shortage of fuel. The little Caesars at the powerhouse certainly did not do their homework. One would have thought that as the rainy season approached, the management at the power house would have stockpiled adequate fuel to last them during our ‘winter.’ That exercise would have called for some science. Is it therefore that these cabals are incapable of conducting such an exercise, Editor? If that is the case then they should all pack up and go home. The citizenry is just fed up with the mediocrity that has categorized the services rendered in this part of the country.
The situation has one second- guessing the electricity supply. I did a log for this past week, and there is no uniformity in the change-over from one plant to the next. People have expensive appliances that can be damaged when the power cuts off suddenly and just as suddenly is returned. There has been no notification of these power cuts due to the change-over of engines. In fact it is a privilege when the power company does any notifications. I can hardly wait for the passing of the Access to Information Act, or whatever it is called.
Recently, tractors were issued to every village. These machines are expected to be used for transportation purposes. People will be able to be transported to various venues where the PPP/C has their meetings and rallies, like the congress they had around the Easter weekend. But don’t the people deserve more? Can you imagine travelling in a trailer, pulled by a tractor, on the kinds of roads we have? The doctors will be very busy. One would have thought that given the tractors, ploughs would have accompanied them since a tractor is an agricultural tool. But it does not seem to be in the interest of the PPP/C to have the people farm the land.
Then there are the land issues. There are three cases in point here in the Rupununi:
1. A few families were occupying a plot of land at San Jose, for quite a long time. They were shocked when they were issued with eviction notices by a party person who was granted a lease for a large acreage, which took in the plot that the families were accustomed to calling home.
2. Another party comrade was given title to lands that included a creek that Amerindians would, from time immemorial, use as fishing grounds. A group of men were unceremoniously chased off the creek and warned not to return.
3. A former senior official went in to Katunarib, in the South Central Rupununi, and promised the people that he would give them a herd of goats should they sign the village title. When the title was presented, a large piece of their traditional lands was missing. Rightfully, the people refused to sign, and the goats were never presented.
Then there is the much published case of Chinese Landing Amerindian Village in the north-west of Guyana. A significant portion of their lands were allocated to a miner who, since 1995, has harassed, victimized and robbed villagers of their fair share of the proceeds.
To vote, therefore, for the PPP/C makes no sense, and by so doing residents will be joining the pack. Let us see who we are.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
Former Member
Lethem without power after fuel shortage
By STABROEK STAFF |
LOCAL NEWS | THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011
At 11pm yesterday, the border community of Lethem had been without power for over 24 hours, after the power company ran out of fuel. Reports are that the community had been experiencing periods of load shedding over the past week, as the company sought to conserve on its fuel stock. By Tuesday evening, however, it was reportedly out of fuel while the generating sets at its base were only running on the fuel remaining in their tanks.
Attempts to reach Regional Executive Officer Ronald Harsawack as well as officials of the power company for comment yesterday were futile. According to reports out of the area, the company was counting on the arrival of a fuel tanker, which departed the Coastland on Tuesday evening for Lethem, but the state of the trail has affected its progress.
Reports from minibus operators were that the tanker had been held up along the trail, including at a bridge which is under construction close to the Surama junction and at the difficult Hunt Oil Stretch. A motorist noted last evening that the stretch of road was deteriorating rapidly over the past two to three weeks, with rainfall and the frequent traffic of the model M ‘bush trucks’ exacerbating the situation. According to reports, the gas stations at Lethem were also low on fuel and at least one, Macedo’s Service Station, had run out of fuel early this week.
There were suggestions, a resident noted last evening, that the GDF SkyVan ferry fuel between Annai and Lethem, since the fuel trucks were able to reach the former location. However, the aircraft is said to be grounded as it is undergoing repairs. A resident told this newspaper last evening that the power company had been advised that fuel should have been conserved during the recent flooding in Region 9, given the state of the road at this time of the year. He said that it is widely known that the July rainy season would see the road being in a terrible state. “So, I can’t understand the stupidity in awarding contracts for works during the rainy season,” the resident added.
Harsawack had told this newspaper earlier this week that works were ongoing on sections of the trail, with efforts being made to undertake emergency works at key sections. He said too that construction company BK international had been mobilising equipment to carry out long term works to the trail. The poor state of the trail has been continually highlighted by residents, who have been calling on the authorities to upgrade it to an all-weather road.
Source
By STABROEK STAFF |
LOCAL NEWS | THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011
At 11pm yesterday, the border community of Lethem had been without power for over 24 hours, after the power company ran out of fuel. Reports are that the community had been experiencing periods of load shedding over the past week, as the company sought to conserve on its fuel stock. By Tuesday evening, however, it was reportedly out of fuel while the generating sets at its base were only running on the fuel remaining in their tanks.
Attempts to reach Regional Executive Officer Ronald Harsawack as well as officials of the power company for comment yesterday were futile. According to reports out of the area, the company was counting on the arrival of a fuel tanker, which departed the Coastland on Tuesday evening for Lethem, but the state of the trail has affected its progress.
Reports from minibus operators were that the tanker had been held up along the trail, including at a bridge which is under construction close to the Surama junction and at the difficult Hunt Oil Stretch. A motorist noted last evening that the stretch of road was deteriorating rapidly over the past two to three weeks, with rainfall and the frequent traffic of the model M ‘bush trucks’ exacerbating the situation. According to reports, the gas stations at Lethem were also low on fuel and at least one, Macedo’s Service Station, had run out of fuel early this week.
There were suggestions, a resident noted last evening, that the GDF SkyVan ferry fuel between Annai and Lethem, since the fuel trucks were able to reach the former location. However, the aircraft is said to be grounded as it is undergoing repairs. A resident told this newspaper last evening that the power company had been advised that fuel should have been conserved during the recent flooding in Region 9, given the state of the road at this time of the year. He said that it is widely known that the July rainy season would see the road being in a terrible state. “So, I can’t understand the stupidity in awarding contracts for works during the rainy season,” the resident added.
Harsawack had told this newspaper earlier this week that works were ongoing on sections of the trail, with efforts being made to undertake emergency works at key sections. He said too that construction company BK international had been mobilising equipment to carry out long term works to the trail. The poor state of the trail has been continually highlighted by residents, who have been calling on the authorities to upgrade it to an all-weather road.
Source
Former Member
Lethem residents protest over power woes
By STABROEK EDITOR |
LOCAL NEWS | THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011
As Lethem remained without power at lunchtime today, a few dozen residents of the area joined members of the business community there this morning in an ongoing picketing exercise outside the offices of the Lethem Power Company. Reports out of the area are that the business community decided to call the protest today, shortly after 11am since no word had been forthcoming from the power company, more so the regional authorities as regards restoration of power to the area. The border community as well as nearby areas had been without power since 10 pm on Tuesday evening.
Lethem residents protest
Former president of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Alfred Ramsarran told this newspaper today that the business sector was concerned that nothing was being done as regards informing the business sector on how soon power would be restored to the area. He said that a number of businesses, especially those with cold storage facilities are affected by the situation. The Lethem Hospital is also affected by the situation, this newspaper was told.
Residents noted today that while they have become frustrated at the situation even though they are being told over the past two weeks that fuel was being sent into the area. It was noted too by a resident that the state of the trail could not fully explain the non-arrival of fuel since smaller vehicles are able to enter Lethem from the Coastland.
Source
By STABROEK EDITOR |
LOCAL NEWS | THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011
As Lethem remained without power at lunchtime today, a few dozen residents of the area joined members of the business community there this morning in an ongoing picketing exercise outside the offices of the Lethem Power Company. Reports out of the area are that the business community decided to call the protest today, shortly after 11am since no word had been forthcoming from the power company, more so the regional authorities as regards restoration of power to the area. The border community as well as nearby areas had been without power since 10 pm on Tuesday evening.
Lethem residents protest
Former president of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Alfred Ramsarran told this newspaper today that the business sector was concerned that nothing was being done as regards informing the business sector on how soon power would be restored to the area. He said that a number of businesses, especially those with cold storage facilities are affected by the situation. The Lethem Hospital is also affected by the situation, this newspaper was told.
Residents noted today that while they have become frustrated at the situation even though they are being told over the past two weeks that fuel was being sent into the area. It was noted too by a resident that the state of the trail could not fully explain the non-arrival of fuel since smaller vehicles are able to enter Lethem from the Coastland.
Source
Former Member
Jason, remember when you asked at the beginning of this thread where was the AFC? No wonder you asked, it really looks like the Gov't could do with some help. But wait, I thought this was a Gov't doing incredibly well financially and is for the working class? Am I wrong, Jason, am I?
Former Member
Lethem power restored after protest - businesses removed from grid
By STABROEK STAFF |
LOCAL NEWS | FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011
Following protest action by residents of Lethem, power was yesterday afternoon restored to the community but some businesses were disconnected from the electricity grid. Regional Chairman, Clarendo Lucas told Stabroek News yesterday afternoon that power was restored to the area after the Lethem Power Company (LPC) managed to source fuel from a gas station in the area. He noted however, that the supply may only be able to last until midday today and reports are that the community and surrounding areas may see more dark days ahead, since the arrival of fuel tankers which were expected in Lethem this week continued to be hampered by the state of the Linden/Lethem trail.
Yesterday, Lethem businesswoman Linda Khan led a picketing exercise outside the company’s offices at Barrack Retreat Road in Central Lethem. Dozens of persons joined members of the business community as they protested at the LPC offices yesterday morning around 11.
Residents protest at Lethem yesterday over the power supply.
Khan noted that several issues at Lethem need to be highlighted, including the need for new management of the LPC, an audit of the company as well as more proactive planning from the authorities in the region. Khan, who said if the situation did not improve today she would be leading another protest, told Stabroek News that soon after power was restored to the area, a transformer which connects her business place, the Savannah Inn, to the electricity grid, was disconnected. She noted that the move by the LPC was “short-sighted.”
An upset Khan noted that her business place is one of the bigger customers of the LPC and she questioned the move by the company. She said that the move was one of several mistakes the company has made in recent months, while adding that in the lead up to the current rainy season in the Rupununi, the LPC should have stockpiled its fuel in preparation for “like what going on now.” Efforts by this newspaper to reach officials at the LPC yesterday were futile, however Khan noted, “they are not even answering the phones when you call…you have to guess what they will be doing next.”
Past President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alfred Ramsarran told this newspaper yesterday that the business community remained concerned at the situation and he noted that a number of businesses were affected by a lack of power supply. Facilities at the Lethem Hospital and other government buildings were also without power for most of the past two days. Residents noted yesterday that a number of commodities had become scarce in recent weeks at Lethem amid growing concerns by some businesses that their produce would spoil.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ireng/Sawariwau Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at Lethem, Terrence Boston told Stabroek News yesterday that the situation did not bode well for the progress of the community as a business hub in that section of Guyana. He said that after the floods, which enveloped the community and other areas in Region 9 several weeks ago, the authorities had been rationing the available fuel at the LPC and he noted that there was hope that the situation would have improved over time. He said that “one would have thought even before then that they would have used the dry weather to ferry fuel into the region but this obviously did not occur.” Boston noted too that since last week, power supply to the community had been cut down to less than 12 hours and on Tuesday evening the power went off. He said that since then Lethem was left in the dark each night until yesterday. Since Lethem is a small community, Boston felt that the residents should have been informed by the LPC of progress made in the ongoing situation and when it was likely to end.
This newspaper understands that fuel tankers are stuck along sections of the road and residents noted yesterday that it remains unclear where those tankers are exactly. “One time you hearing fuel reaching today then you hearing another thing the next day,” a resident noted.
Source
By STABROEK STAFF |
LOCAL NEWS | FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2011
Following protest action by residents of Lethem, power was yesterday afternoon restored to the community but some businesses were disconnected from the electricity grid. Regional Chairman, Clarendo Lucas told Stabroek News yesterday afternoon that power was restored to the area after the Lethem Power Company (LPC) managed to source fuel from a gas station in the area. He noted however, that the supply may only be able to last until midday today and reports are that the community and surrounding areas may see more dark days ahead, since the arrival of fuel tankers which were expected in Lethem this week continued to be hampered by the state of the Linden/Lethem trail.
Yesterday, Lethem businesswoman Linda Khan led a picketing exercise outside the company’s offices at Barrack Retreat Road in Central Lethem. Dozens of persons joined members of the business community as they protested at the LPC offices yesterday morning around 11.
Residents protest at Lethem yesterday over the power supply.
Khan noted that several issues at Lethem need to be highlighted, including the need for new management of the LPC, an audit of the company as well as more proactive planning from the authorities in the region. Khan, who said if the situation did not improve today she would be leading another protest, told Stabroek News that soon after power was restored to the area, a transformer which connects her business place, the Savannah Inn, to the electricity grid, was disconnected. She noted that the move by the LPC was “short-sighted.”
An upset Khan noted that her business place is one of the bigger customers of the LPC and she questioned the move by the company. She said that the move was one of several mistakes the company has made in recent months, while adding that in the lead up to the current rainy season in the Rupununi, the LPC should have stockpiled its fuel in preparation for “like what going on now.” Efforts by this newspaper to reach officials at the LPC yesterday were futile, however Khan noted, “they are not even answering the phones when you call…you have to guess what they will be doing next.”
Past President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alfred Ramsarran told this newspaper yesterday that the business community remained concerned at the situation and he noted that a number of businesses were affected by a lack of power supply. Facilities at the Lethem Hospital and other government buildings were also without power for most of the past two days. Residents noted yesterday that a number of commodities had become scarce in recent weeks at Lethem amid growing concerns by some businesses that their produce would spoil.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ireng/Sawariwau Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at Lethem, Terrence Boston told Stabroek News yesterday that the situation did not bode well for the progress of the community as a business hub in that section of Guyana. He said that after the floods, which enveloped the community and other areas in Region 9 several weeks ago, the authorities had been rationing the available fuel at the LPC and he noted that there was hope that the situation would have improved over time. He said that “one would have thought even before then that they would have used the dry weather to ferry fuel into the region but this obviously did not occur.” Boston noted too that since last week, power supply to the community had been cut down to less than 12 hours and on Tuesday evening the power went off. He said that since then Lethem was left in the dark each night until yesterday. Since Lethem is a small community, Boston felt that the residents should have been informed by the LPC of progress made in the ongoing situation and when it was likely to end.
This newspaper understands that fuel tankers are stuck along sections of the road and residents noted yesterday that it remains unclear where those tankers are exactly. “One time you hearing fuel reaching today then you hearing another thing the next day,” a resident noted.
Source
Former Member
"(Khan) told Stabroek News that soon after power was restored to the area, a transformer which connects her business place, the Savannah Inn, to the electricity grid, was disconnected."
I guess the disconnection of the businesswoman is proof of the PPP's working class credentials? Yes? No? albert? Jason?
I guess the disconnection of the businesswoman is proof of the PPP's working class credentials? Yes? No? albert? Jason?
Former Member
Cross-border trade lags despite Takutu Bridge
By ALVA SOLOMON | LOCAL NEWS | SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011
The level of bilateral trade between Guyana and Brazil is below expectations, even after the opening of the Takutu Bridge, which had been expected to stimulate growth. This was the assessment presented by President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Clinton Williams yesterday, when he addressed a gathering at Duke Lodge in Kingston, where the Guyana/Brazil private sector integration project was formally launched.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses the gathering yesterday at the Duke Lodge, in Kingston.
According to Williams, who gave a brief background to Brazil’s rise as one of the economic giants of the world, it is logical that Guyana stands to gain from strengthening its economic partnership with the neighbouring country. He said the reality today is that despite a number of major trade and infrastructural investment initiatives, the intended benefits of cross-border trade and investment activities between the two countries are “still way below expectation after 10 years.” Williams listed the Partial Scope Agreement, which was initiated in 2001, as well as the multi-million dollar Takutu Bridge, as vehicles which should have been forging the advancement of trade between the two nations. He said the GMSA and the private sector as a whole needed to find innovative methods while working in conjunction with the government to significantly “reduce the trade imbalances” which exist between Guyana and Brazil. He said this is being examined.
Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Luis Gilberto Seixas de Andre supported the views expressed by Williams, while noting that the level of trade between the two nations remains low, “compared with the potential created by the Takutu Bridge.” He said one of the main focuses of the Brazilian government is to increase the level of bilateral trade and exchanges, including in the areas of transportation, communication, home affairs and health. He implored the respective private sector bodies in the two nations to play a leading role in the advancement of mutually beneficial relations.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who gave the feature address at the forum, which was attended by 11 members of the private sector group, SEBRAE (the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Development Support Organisation), stated that the government looks forward to growth of business and social relations between Guyana and Brazil. He said too that the while some may view the advancement of trade between the two nations as frustrating, it should be noted that the relationship with Brazil was one which started “from scratch.” He said he viewed the situation as a “growth curve,” in which the curve is climbing and while there are areas of development being undertaken, one significant development would stand out, giving the situation much more credence in terms of advancement. Meantime, SEBRAE President Airton Diaz stated that several areas of development are being examined between the body and the local private sector, including the setting up of a learning institution for Brazilians who are living in Guyana.
At the same time, Diaz noted that Guyanese are given the opportunity to set up facilities in the neighbouring state of Roraima, while they are also afforded the opportunity to learn Portuguese at a facility, which is being set up in that state. The main developmental objective of the integration project is to significantly strengthen export sales and enhance capacity of a wide range of local goods and services, primarily aquaculture, agriculture and agro-processing, among others. The expected output of the project is to create a comprehensive marketing strategy report that identifies every aspect of the export potential of the identified range of products in the target markets. In addition, the project is expected to create a memorandum of understanding, which details the range of collaboration among the universities of Roraima and Guyana and the Business University of SEBRAE.
The visiting Brazilian delegation will be meeting the local private sector over the next few days as the project is advanced.
Stabroek News
Demerara Waves
By ALVA SOLOMON | LOCAL NEWS | SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011
The level of bilateral trade between Guyana and Brazil is below expectations, even after the opening of the Takutu Bridge, which had been expected to stimulate growth. This was the assessment presented by President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Clinton Williams yesterday, when he addressed a gathering at Duke Lodge in Kingston, where the Guyana/Brazil private sector integration project was formally launched.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses the gathering yesterday at the Duke Lodge, in Kingston.
According to Williams, who gave a brief background to Brazil’s rise as one of the economic giants of the world, it is logical that Guyana stands to gain from strengthening its economic partnership with the neighbouring country. He said the reality today is that despite a number of major trade and infrastructural investment initiatives, the intended benefits of cross-border trade and investment activities between the two countries are “still way below expectation after 10 years.” Williams listed the Partial Scope Agreement, which was initiated in 2001, as well as the multi-million dollar Takutu Bridge, as vehicles which should have been forging the advancement of trade between the two nations. He said the GMSA and the private sector as a whole needed to find innovative methods while working in conjunction with the government to significantly “reduce the trade imbalances” which exist between Guyana and Brazil. He said this is being examined.
Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Luis Gilberto Seixas de Andre supported the views expressed by Williams, while noting that the level of trade between the two nations remains low, “compared with the potential created by the Takutu Bridge.” He said one of the main focuses of the Brazilian government is to increase the level of bilateral trade and exchanges, including in the areas of transportation, communication, home affairs and health. He implored the respective private sector bodies in the two nations to play a leading role in the advancement of mutually beneficial relations.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who gave the feature address at the forum, which was attended by 11 members of the private sector group, SEBRAE (the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Development Support Organisation), stated that the government looks forward to growth of business and social relations between Guyana and Brazil. He said too that the while some may view the advancement of trade between the two nations as frustrating, it should be noted that the relationship with Brazil was one which started “from scratch.” He said he viewed the situation as a “growth curve,” in which the curve is climbing and while there are areas of development being undertaken, one significant development would stand out, giving the situation much more credence in terms of advancement. Meantime, SEBRAE President Airton Diaz stated that several areas of development are being examined between the body and the local private sector, including the setting up of a learning institution for Brazilians who are living in Guyana.
At the same time, Diaz noted that Guyanese are given the opportunity to set up facilities in the neighbouring state of Roraima, while they are also afforded the opportunity to learn Portuguese at a facility, which is being set up in that state. The main developmental objective of the integration project is to significantly strengthen export sales and enhance capacity of a wide range of local goods and services, primarily aquaculture, agriculture and agro-processing, among others. The expected output of the project is to create a comprehensive marketing strategy report that identifies every aspect of the export potential of the identified range of products in the target markets. In addition, the project is expected to create a memorandum of understanding, which details the range of collaboration among the universities of Roraima and Guyana and the Business University of SEBRAE.
The visiting Brazilian delegation will be meeting the local private sector over the next few days as the project is advanced.
Stabroek News
Demerara Waves
Former Member
As long as matters pertaining to the maintenance of the road to Lethem remain as they are under the PPP, trade, and the subsequent increase in development of Guyana, will continue to languish.
Former Member
Many problems at Lethem Hospital
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011
Dear Editor,
One would have thought that with the building, two years ago, and three subsequent renovations, of the much touted state-of-the-art hospital at Lethem, the many health-related issues would have been solved. That is not the case; as a matter of fact, the situation has reached an all time low.
I have received information from residents of the community, and respected former employees of the institution who are in a position to know what is transpiring at the hospital. Some of these former employees worked at the old facility and agree that the services and aesthetics of the old structure are far superior to the present structure. Some of the information contained herein is the subject of my own investigation, but is largely obtained from persons mentioned.
I will start with the structure itself. There have been numerous complaints that the building, when built, did not cater for natural ventilation as was the case of the old hospital. Thus patients have to endure the air-conditioning units, which might not be healthy for all patients. Only now is an entrance for Accident and Emergency cases being constructed. The X-ray room is one of major concern, and I think the Occupational Health and Safety Authorities should investigate this. The X-Ray department is located in an enclosed room with no ventilation and no means of allowing toxic fumes to escape. This could expose the technician to dangerous fumes when dealing with the chemicals to process X-ray films. Several senior officials had promised to install extractor fans, but that remains a promise.
There is a water problem in this multi-million dollar facility. There has been no running water in the Lab, Recovery, Laundry and Theatre sections for more than three months now. The staff of these areas have to fetch water on a daily basis. The Lab in particular needs running water since tests are conducted on blood, stool and urine, among other things. The current practice is one member of staff pouring water from a container, while the other member of staff washes his/her hands and or utensils.
The kitchen was recently rehabilitated and new shelves and a storage room were constructed, but whenever it rains that part of the hospital is prone to flooding and the ceiling leaks like a sieve. It must be noted that the contractors received full payment for these works. Editor, is the Defects Liability Clause still enforced in contracts awarded by government? That seems not to be the case in relation to the works done at the Lethem Hospital.
There is a septic tank on the windward side of the male ward. With the current electricity fiasco, and due to poor ventilation at this facility, patients of this ward face a torrid time. A brand new dental chair was acquired 18 months ago at a handsome cost – $1.8M. Because the region failed to install air-conditioning in the dental department, the hose and other rubber components of the chair were subject to dry rot due to the intense heat that is a part of the Rupununi, thus rendering the chair unserviceable. The two dental technicians therefore are forced to use the old chair in a cramped space that entails only one technician working at a time. If we calculate the man hours lost due to this management hiccup and put dollars to those hours, then we will get the picture of the amount of monies literally going down the drain. While we are at it, add the cost of the chair, and the opportunity cost of the lost chair and we get a picture of more millions wasted. Oh boy, are we rich!
There is a machine that does blood analysis that is being seldom used because of the irregular supply of reagents that are necessary to enable it to function. This machine works with a combination of reagents that are supplied by the Central Pharmacy in Georgetown. Several residents have complained that on several occasions they were told that they could not get their blood analyzed because reagents were not available to work the machine. Therefore these patients with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension were made to wait or seek the dialysis elsewhere, mostly in Brazil.
The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) programme was introduced to the region in 2002 with the responsibility of Lethem to take it to the other four sub-districts. For the first three years, this programme was vigorously implemented, but because of poor management and the egos of some regional officials, it seems to have diminished. The implications here are very serious, and the representative Amerindian organizations ought to take this up as a matter of principle. There are a lot of mothers, and I dare say Amerindian mothers, who are giving birth to babies without the benefit of being tested for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. To date, Lethem is the only part of this region where the PMTC programme is functioning.
In some of the villages the Health Huts have various quantities of expired drugs. A case in point is the Health Post at Yupukari in the North Savannahs. Some health facilities in the South Central Rupununi have very few basic drugs. Does the Regional Health Officer visit outlying areas? There is also a shortage of certain basic drugs right here in Lethem, and patients are being advised to acquire them at the local pharmacy. These drugs, I have been reliably informed, are available from the government pharmacy in Georgetown. During the recent floods, a large quantity of drugs and medical supplies were delivered to the region to aid in the flood relief efforts. Were they delivered to the Regional Pharmacy as is the normal procedure, and were they documented and can be accounted for?
The standby generator is now unserviceable because the machine was run concurrently with the electricity supplied by the electricity company. Before this, the plant was run dry on several occasions. Now the hospital does not have the benefit of power in this ever-widening electricity crisis that has gripped Lethem since the flood days. It is no secret that the ambulance is an abused facility. This vehicle is used for trips to Bon Fim across the border. When this happens, the hospital is left without its services. But as the adage goes: “nothing happen, nothing said.” This is a dangerous practice since should there be an emergency, the victims will surely suffer the worst.
The hospital’s photocopier is installed at the home of an official. Staff wanting the use of this machine, have to go to the house. The physiotherapy department was given a motor-cycle by the Ministry of Health to do outreach work to schools and shut-ins in the communities. This cycle was taken away, however, and the officer has to utilize his own resources to do his work.
A new programme to detect cancer in women at an early stage was launched on April 7, 2011 with the promise of regular follow-up clinics. To date there have been no other clinics, and the programme is in danger of petering out. At the launch it was promised that other staff would be trained in the use of the programme, but there is no evidence that this has happened.
There is no ward sister at the Lethem Hospital. The ward sister is required to guide nurses in the execution of their duties among other things. Very often when one visits the wards, unkempt beds are noticed. The old hospital had a ward sister that used to keep the nurses and other related staff on their toes. I made the point previously about the number of referrals to Brazil from this new facility. It is the general view of most residents that the doctors stationed here are too junior to deal with the many issues confronting the hospital. The general view is that a senior doctor, who must also be a surgeon, be made available to run the hospital if it is to really serve the purpose for which it was constructed.
A mortuary was installed a few years ago, but became unserviceable in August of last year. Despite several attempts at repair, the facility remains non-functional. This has resulted in the increased expense for relatives of the departed who have to acquire ice to preserve bodies until burial. There were several instances of decayed corpses because relatives could not afford the ice.
From my investigations, own knowledge and the corroboration of some ex-employees, some of whom worked in senior positions, the staff of the hospital are quite capable of executing their duties efficiently and effectively. However, given the many constraints, the staff has become lethargic to the point where they just don’t give a damn what happens any more. In fact one of the more experienced and knowledgeable staff has tendered her resignation in disgust and in protest at what is passing at the hospital for management and patient care. The health authorities in Georgetown should therefore conduct an honest and objective review of this facility if they are keen and serious about the people’s well-being.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011
Dear Editor,
One would have thought that with the building, two years ago, and three subsequent renovations, of the much touted state-of-the-art hospital at Lethem, the many health-related issues would have been solved. That is not the case; as a matter of fact, the situation has reached an all time low.
I have received information from residents of the community, and respected former employees of the institution who are in a position to know what is transpiring at the hospital. Some of these former employees worked at the old facility and agree that the services and aesthetics of the old structure are far superior to the present structure. Some of the information contained herein is the subject of my own investigation, but is largely obtained from persons mentioned.
I will start with the structure itself. There have been numerous complaints that the building, when built, did not cater for natural ventilation as was the case of the old hospital. Thus patients have to endure the air-conditioning units, which might not be healthy for all patients. Only now is an entrance for Accident and Emergency cases being constructed. The X-ray room is one of major concern, and I think the Occupational Health and Safety Authorities should investigate this. The X-Ray department is located in an enclosed room with no ventilation and no means of allowing toxic fumes to escape. This could expose the technician to dangerous fumes when dealing with the chemicals to process X-ray films. Several senior officials had promised to install extractor fans, but that remains a promise.
There is a water problem in this multi-million dollar facility. There has been no running water in the Lab, Recovery, Laundry and Theatre sections for more than three months now. The staff of these areas have to fetch water on a daily basis. The Lab in particular needs running water since tests are conducted on blood, stool and urine, among other things. The current practice is one member of staff pouring water from a container, while the other member of staff washes his/her hands and or utensils.
The kitchen was recently rehabilitated and new shelves and a storage room were constructed, but whenever it rains that part of the hospital is prone to flooding and the ceiling leaks like a sieve. It must be noted that the contractors received full payment for these works. Editor, is the Defects Liability Clause still enforced in contracts awarded by government? That seems not to be the case in relation to the works done at the Lethem Hospital.
There is a septic tank on the windward side of the male ward. With the current electricity fiasco, and due to poor ventilation at this facility, patients of this ward face a torrid time. A brand new dental chair was acquired 18 months ago at a handsome cost – $1.8M. Because the region failed to install air-conditioning in the dental department, the hose and other rubber components of the chair were subject to dry rot due to the intense heat that is a part of the Rupununi, thus rendering the chair unserviceable. The two dental technicians therefore are forced to use the old chair in a cramped space that entails only one technician working at a time. If we calculate the man hours lost due to this management hiccup and put dollars to those hours, then we will get the picture of the amount of monies literally going down the drain. While we are at it, add the cost of the chair, and the opportunity cost of the lost chair and we get a picture of more millions wasted. Oh boy, are we rich!
There is a machine that does blood analysis that is being seldom used because of the irregular supply of reagents that are necessary to enable it to function. This machine works with a combination of reagents that are supplied by the Central Pharmacy in Georgetown. Several residents have complained that on several occasions they were told that they could not get their blood analyzed because reagents were not available to work the machine. Therefore these patients with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension were made to wait or seek the dialysis elsewhere, mostly in Brazil.
The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) programme was introduced to the region in 2002 with the responsibility of Lethem to take it to the other four sub-districts. For the first three years, this programme was vigorously implemented, but because of poor management and the egos of some regional officials, it seems to have diminished. The implications here are very serious, and the representative Amerindian organizations ought to take this up as a matter of principle. There are a lot of mothers, and I dare say Amerindian mothers, who are giving birth to babies without the benefit of being tested for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. To date, Lethem is the only part of this region where the PMTC programme is functioning.
In some of the villages the Health Huts have various quantities of expired drugs. A case in point is the Health Post at Yupukari in the North Savannahs. Some health facilities in the South Central Rupununi have very few basic drugs. Does the Regional Health Officer visit outlying areas? There is also a shortage of certain basic drugs right here in Lethem, and patients are being advised to acquire them at the local pharmacy. These drugs, I have been reliably informed, are available from the government pharmacy in Georgetown. During the recent floods, a large quantity of drugs and medical supplies were delivered to the region to aid in the flood relief efforts. Were they delivered to the Regional Pharmacy as is the normal procedure, and were they documented and can be accounted for?
The standby generator is now unserviceable because the machine was run concurrently with the electricity supplied by the electricity company. Before this, the plant was run dry on several occasions. Now the hospital does not have the benefit of power in this ever-widening electricity crisis that has gripped Lethem since the flood days. It is no secret that the ambulance is an abused facility. This vehicle is used for trips to Bon Fim across the border. When this happens, the hospital is left without its services. But as the adage goes: “nothing happen, nothing said.” This is a dangerous practice since should there be an emergency, the victims will surely suffer the worst.
The hospital’s photocopier is installed at the home of an official. Staff wanting the use of this machine, have to go to the house. The physiotherapy department was given a motor-cycle by the Ministry of Health to do outreach work to schools and shut-ins in the communities. This cycle was taken away, however, and the officer has to utilize his own resources to do his work.
A new programme to detect cancer in women at an early stage was launched on April 7, 2011 with the promise of regular follow-up clinics. To date there have been no other clinics, and the programme is in danger of petering out. At the launch it was promised that other staff would be trained in the use of the programme, but there is no evidence that this has happened.
There is no ward sister at the Lethem Hospital. The ward sister is required to guide nurses in the execution of their duties among other things. Very often when one visits the wards, unkempt beds are noticed. The old hospital had a ward sister that used to keep the nurses and other related staff on their toes. I made the point previously about the number of referrals to Brazil from this new facility. It is the general view of most residents that the doctors stationed here are too junior to deal with the many issues confronting the hospital. The general view is that a senior doctor, who must also be a surgeon, be made available to run the hospital if it is to really serve the purpose for which it was constructed.
A mortuary was installed a few years ago, but became unserviceable in August of last year. Despite several attempts at repair, the facility remains non-functional. This has resulted in the increased expense for relatives of the departed who have to acquire ice to preserve bodies until burial. There were several instances of decayed corpses because relatives could not afford the ice.
From my investigations, own knowledge and the corroboration of some ex-employees, some of whom worked in senior positions, the staff of the hospital are quite capable of executing their duties efficiently and effectively. However, given the many constraints, the staff has become lethargic to the point where they just don’t give a damn what happens any more. In fact one of the more experienced and knowledgeable staff has tendered her resignation in disgust and in protest at what is passing at the hospital for management and patient care. The health authorities in Georgetown should therefore conduct an honest and objective review of this facility if they are keen and serious about the people’s well-being.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
Former Member
Work on the Lethem-Linden Trail is at a standstill
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
Dear Editor,
I write to highlight, I hope, an oversight by a number of institutions. BK International was awarded a contract to fix portions of the Lethem to Linden Trail – the downgrade from road to trail is intentional.
I have noticed that it does not appear as though local persons were offered employment by this firm. I know a few men who applied for work, but were turned down. When I was Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Region 10, the RDC had a policy of contractors employing a certain percentage of the workforce from the communities they were required to work in. Additionally, if the communities had persons with particular skills, the contractor was made to employ those skills. That was one way of ensuring the distribution of wealth. I would recommend that this become policy across the country.
In the meanwhile, works are at a standstill for some strange reason. The trail is in a horrible state, while most of the road-building machinery is parked in the compound of the Pirara Ranch. Commuters are finding it increasingly difficult on their way to and from Georgetown. They have to walk for a mile through the slush since no driver wants to jeopardize their passengers’ safety, which I find quite commendable.
Another observation is that the PPP/C has sent a brand new 4×4 vehicle PNN 6078, to aid in its campaign. Quite understandable, but, the police have had no vehicles for quite some time now. Region 9 has a history of drug trafficking. A vehicle would have ensured that the police stayed on top of things. This is surely a case of misplaced priorities.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
Dear Editor,
I write to highlight, I hope, an oversight by a number of institutions. BK International was awarded a contract to fix portions of the Lethem to Linden Trail – the downgrade from road to trail is intentional.
I have noticed that it does not appear as though local persons were offered employment by this firm. I know a few men who applied for work, but were turned down. When I was Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Region 10, the RDC had a policy of contractors employing a certain percentage of the workforce from the communities they were required to work in. Additionally, if the communities had persons with particular skills, the contractor was made to employ those skills. That was one way of ensuring the distribution of wealth. I would recommend that this become policy across the country.
In the meanwhile, works are at a standstill for some strange reason. The trail is in a horrible state, while most of the road-building machinery is parked in the compound of the Pirara Ranch. Commuters are finding it increasingly difficult on their way to and from Georgetown. They have to walk for a mile through the slush since no driver wants to jeopardize their passengers’ safety, which I find quite commendable.
Another observation is that the PPP/C has sent a brand new 4×4 vehicle PNN 6078, to aid in its campaign. Quite understandable, but, the police have had no vehicles for quite some time now. Region 9 has a history of drug trafficking. A vehicle would have ensured that the police stayed on top of things. This is surely a case of misplaced priorities.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
Horse Man (Guest)
This chap Carl Parker is becoming quite a pest and he is pointing out too many things.
We may need to send him a message or invite him to a special party or something.
We may need to send him a message or invite him to a special party or something.
Former Member
In the north-central Rupununi people are ignorant of what is going on
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011
Dear Editor,
I never cease to be amazed at the depths to which this government will sink to ensure that only their side of the story is told. I was invited to a football festival in Kwitata in the north-central Rupununi. This festival was organized by a brilliant young Amerindian man, and included the villages of Yupukari, Fly Hill, Kaikumbay and Kwitata itself, all in the north-central area. There were hundreds of Amerindians present. In fact I was the only non-Amerindian in that gathering. I felt honoured to be there. I left Lethem on Saturday morning and returned on Monday night. The journey was treacherous since the road is in a nightmarish condition. On my return, there was a truck which had turned turtle as a result of the condition of the road. Luckily, no one was injured.
While in Kwitata, many Amerindians approached me to relate the horrors that are passing for life in that secluded part of our country. Many of the issues have already been mentioned. However some other issues surfaced which include unemployment, the cost of living, unavailability of basic food items, the inadequacy of the solar panels distributed by government, the lack of furniture in the school, transportation, lack of news on what is happening in the rest of Guyana, and the most important one, land demarcation. These issues are effectively preventing these people from entering the mainstream of Guyanese society. I pity them because it is very hard to fathom that in this day and age they are ignorant of a lot of things that are going on in Guyana, things that will invariably impact on their lives.
What is more is that when the politicians go to these villages, they fill the people’s minds with a lot of nonsense, which at times is very divisive. Imagine the people were told that the LCDS monies will be given to households and that the PNC/R was blocking the monies from being disbursed. And bet you me, it was believed. I had to explain to the people from my limited understanding of the issue that the monies are not for individuals, but for communities, and that these monies will be disbursed when the government puts the required systems in place to ensure that the monies are spent in accordance with laid-down principles. They left, having a clearer understanding as to who was preventing the disbursement of the funds.
While talking to the residents, an old friend of mine invited me to Yupukari, so I went there after about a 20-minute ride on the motorcycle. I sat down with him and caught up on some old talk. This guy then got deadly serious. He told me that the school did exceptionally well this year at the National Grade Six Assessment. He told me that the secret to the village’s success was in a library and a computer lab that were donated by an expatriate lady. He said that it was sad that she was no longer around. After some prompting, and he looking fearfully over his shoulders, he told me that this lady, Alice Taylor, visited the village with her husband who was doing a project on the black caiman. He said that the woman came to love the village and sympathized with their standard of living, so she decided to assist with the education sector.
She made a proposal which was approved and endorsed by the Regional Democratic Council, and the Village Council. She set up the library and the wireless internet with her own funds. This village benefited in that they were able to keep informed of issues. The children were able to do improved research, which was evident in their results. At this year’s examinations, 20 students were able to gain places in secondary schools. That I think deserves an award from the regional authorities.
The story then took a depressing turn. Ms Taylor’s plan was to extend this facility to the other villages mentioned above, but she made a ‘wrong’ move. She criticized the government’s efforts in the education sector for that part of Guyana. True to form, the government asked her to leave, not the Rupununi, but the country. She was escorted out of the village by the police and was told never to return. According to my friend, she made several attempts at returning but was prevented on each occasion.
The moral here is that we know only what they (PPP/C) teach us. Yupukari has lost a friend. The country has lost a helper. Some people may want to say that the woman had motives. That I do not know. May Alice be in our prayers, and hope that one day, when we rid this country of the monstrosity that the PPP/C has become, she will return to the serene village of Yupukari to continue what she started out of the kindness of her heart.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011
Dear Editor,
I never cease to be amazed at the depths to which this government will sink to ensure that only their side of the story is told. I was invited to a football festival in Kwitata in the north-central Rupununi. This festival was organized by a brilliant young Amerindian man, and included the villages of Yupukari, Fly Hill, Kaikumbay and Kwitata itself, all in the north-central area. There were hundreds of Amerindians present. In fact I was the only non-Amerindian in that gathering. I felt honoured to be there. I left Lethem on Saturday morning and returned on Monday night. The journey was treacherous since the road is in a nightmarish condition. On my return, there was a truck which had turned turtle as a result of the condition of the road. Luckily, no one was injured.
While in Kwitata, many Amerindians approached me to relate the horrors that are passing for life in that secluded part of our country. Many of the issues have already been mentioned. However some other issues surfaced which include unemployment, the cost of living, unavailability of basic food items, the inadequacy of the solar panels distributed by government, the lack of furniture in the school, transportation, lack of news on what is happening in the rest of Guyana, and the most important one, land demarcation. These issues are effectively preventing these people from entering the mainstream of Guyanese society. I pity them because it is very hard to fathom that in this day and age they are ignorant of a lot of things that are going on in Guyana, things that will invariably impact on their lives.
What is more is that when the politicians go to these villages, they fill the people’s minds with a lot of nonsense, which at times is very divisive. Imagine the people were told that the LCDS monies will be given to households and that the PNC/R was blocking the monies from being disbursed. And bet you me, it was believed. I had to explain to the people from my limited understanding of the issue that the monies are not for individuals, but for communities, and that these monies will be disbursed when the government puts the required systems in place to ensure that the monies are spent in accordance with laid-down principles. They left, having a clearer understanding as to who was preventing the disbursement of the funds.
While talking to the residents, an old friend of mine invited me to Yupukari, so I went there after about a 20-minute ride on the motorcycle. I sat down with him and caught up on some old talk. This guy then got deadly serious. He told me that the school did exceptionally well this year at the National Grade Six Assessment. He told me that the secret to the village’s success was in a library and a computer lab that were donated by an expatriate lady. He said that it was sad that she was no longer around. After some prompting, and he looking fearfully over his shoulders, he told me that this lady, Alice Taylor, visited the village with her husband who was doing a project on the black caiman. He said that the woman came to love the village and sympathized with their standard of living, so she decided to assist with the education sector.
She made a proposal which was approved and endorsed by the Regional Democratic Council, and the Village Council. She set up the library and the wireless internet with her own funds. This village benefited in that they were able to keep informed of issues. The children were able to do improved research, which was evident in their results. At this year’s examinations, 20 students were able to gain places in secondary schools. That I think deserves an award from the regional authorities.
The story then took a depressing turn. Ms Taylor’s plan was to extend this facility to the other villages mentioned above, but she made a ‘wrong’ move. She criticized the government’s efforts in the education sector for that part of Guyana. True to form, the government asked her to leave, not the Rupununi, but the country. She was escorted out of the village by the police and was told never to return. According to my friend, she made several attempts at returning but was prevented on each occasion.
The moral here is that we know only what they (PPP/C) teach us. Yupukari has lost a friend. The country has lost a helper. Some people may want to say that the woman had motives. That I do not know. May Alice be in our prayers, and hope that one day, when we rid this country of the monstrosity that the PPP/C has become, she will return to the serene village of Yupukari to continue what she started out of the kindness of her heart.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
Former Member
Probing produced results in Region 9
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011
Dear Editor,
There is a saying that the pen is mightier than the sword. The sooner many of us remember that, the better Guyana will be. I make this remark because, apparently, my recent interventions in the press have spurred an otherwise lackadaisical administration in Region 9 into action. I was reliably informed that a staff meeting was held recently which was charged by the powers of the Regional Executive Officer. This power enabled him to find funds.
The meeting began with accusations against persons unknown of leaking out information. The REO told the staff to speak up if they have issues. When some staff members tried to explain the difficulties their respective departments were having, they were told, “We have monies to fix that”; “That is in the budget”; and “That is no problem.”
The problem I have here is that all the unpleasantries could have been avoided if the officers were performing, and performing in the best interest of the public. One thing the REO needs to understand is that the information that he is so zealously guarding does not belong to him, it belongs to the public. If he wants information to be kept secret then he is in the wrong profession. Maybe he should consider taking up a post with the CIA.
Nevertheless, the outcome of the meeting has surely vindicated me, and I will keep probing until I am satisfied that the people are best served.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011
Dear Editor,
There is a saying that the pen is mightier than the sword. The sooner many of us remember that, the better Guyana will be. I make this remark because, apparently, my recent interventions in the press have spurred an otherwise lackadaisical administration in Region 9 into action. I was reliably informed that a staff meeting was held recently which was charged by the powers of the Regional Executive Officer. This power enabled him to find funds.
The meeting began with accusations against persons unknown of leaking out information. The REO told the staff to speak up if they have issues. When some staff members tried to explain the difficulties their respective departments were having, they were told, “We have monies to fix that”; “That is in the budget”; and “That is no problem.”
The problem I have here is that all the unpleasantries could have been avoided if the officers were performing, and performing in the best interest of the public. One thing the REO needs to understand is that the information that he is so zealously guarding does not belong to him, it belongs to the public. If he wants information to be kept secret then he is in the wrong profession. Maybe he should consider taking up a post with the CIA.
Nevertheless, the outcome of the meeting has surely vindicated me, and I will keep probing until I am satisfied that the people are best served.
Yours faithfully,
Carl Parker
Source
Former Member
Still no start date for Linden-Lethem road works
AUGUST 12, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS
Discussions on the development of the Linden to Lethem Road have been ongoing for years and the Governments of Guyana and Brazil have not yet decided on the date when the construction of the road would commence. The uncertainty as to when this vital stretch, that links northern Brazil to Georgetown, would be transformed from loam to asphalted concrete surface was further highlighted yesterday at a press conference held at the International Convention Centre, Pattensen.
Neither of the Foreign Ministers, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana and Antonio Patriota of Brazil, was able to update the media as to when the construction of the road would commence. However, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that the feasibility study for the construction of the road is completed and is under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. The economical and social importances of the road were reiterated as the Ministers emphasized the good trade relations the two countries share.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett noted that Guyana is unable to compete with Brazil’s economy and the country would be unable to maximize trade potential in the absence of the Linden to Lethem Road. She stated that 60 tariff lines were added to the already existing 127. It was pointed out that a consortium of Brazilian companies is in Guyana discussing various projects including the aforementioned road and hydropower.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett asserted that while a time frame is not confirmed for the road’s construction, the Government of Guyana is executing maintenance works on the stretch. Recent heavy rainfall in the hinterland region resulted in the deplorable condition of the Linden to Lethem Road to worsen. The flooding of the road and the caving of some culverts made certain sections impassible. It also resulted in the permanent closure of Intra Serv, a bus service from Georgetown to Lethem. The sponginess of the stretch after the flood made road repairs difficult. Persons driving cargo trucks were asked to respect the weight limit so as to prevent further damage to the road.
Source
AUGUST 12, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS
Discussions on the development of the Linden to Lethem Road have been ongoing for years and the Governments of Guyana and Brazil have not yet decided on the date when the construction of the road would commence. The uncertainty as to when this vital stretch, that links northern Brazil to Georgetown, would be transformed from loam to asphalted concrete surface was further highlighted yesterday at a press conference held at the International Convention Centre, Pattensen.
Neither of the Foreign Ministers, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana and Antonio Patriota of Brazil, was able to update the media as to when the construction of the road would commence. However, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that the feasibility study for the construction of the road is completed and is under the purview of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. The economical and social importances of the road were reiterated as the Ministers emphasized the good trade relations the two countries share.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett noted that Guyana is unable to compete with Brazil’s economy and the country would be unable to maximize trade potential in the absence of the Linden to Lethem Road. She stated that 60 tariff lines were added to the already existing 127. It was pointed out that a consortium of Brazilian companies is in Guyana discussing various projects including the aforementioned road and hydropower.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett asserted that while a time frame is not confirmed for the road’s construction, the Government of Guyana is executing maintenance works on the stretch. Recent heavy rainfall in the hinterland region resulted in the deplorable condition of the Linden to Lethem Road to worsen. The flooding of the road and the caving of some culverts made certain sections impassible. It also resulted in the permanent closure of Intra Serv, a bus service from Georgetown to Lethem. The sponginess of the stretch after the flood made road repairs difficult. Persons driving cargo trucks were asked to respect the weight limit so as to prevent further damage to the road.
Source
Former Member
Lethem electricity supply still not normal despite the advent of the dry season
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011
Dear Editor,
Lethem and its environs have been receiving glorious sunshine for almost a month now. The roads and trails are once again bone dry and dusty and even the unique Rupununi dry season breeze is again blowing frequently. This clearly indicates that the dry season has begun. However, it seems that our utility company, Lethem Power Company (LPC), is not reading these signs.
During the heart of the rainy season when Lethem experienced its heaviest floods in recent memory and the main access road from Georgetown to Lethem was closed off, LPC made the decision to curtail the 24-hr electricity supply citing difficulty in securing a reliable fuel supply for its generator. The public understood these difficulties and agreed with the company’s decision. It was assumed that as soon as the road became passable that the LPC would have made all efforts to ensure that sufficient fuel was stockpiled and electricity would return to normal.
However, it’s now going on to six weeks since traffic resumed on the GT/Lethem road. Even cars and minibuses are traversing the road, which means that it is passable for all types of vehicles. Yet our electricity supply has not returned to normal. It seems that only the LPC fuel tankers are unable to use the road. The public would like to know why electricity continues to be curtailed even though the fuel supply should have returned to normal. There are no grounds for the LPC to say that they are unable to get their fuel into Lethem on time.
Who are the authorities in charge of LPC? It is time that they make a pronouncement on why Lethem and its environs continue to receive rationed electricity. Even during the rainy season there was much discontent over the efforts that LPC made to get their fuel into Lethem. Many felt that they did not do enough to alleviate the fuel shortage. Even when things improved marginally and other businesses went the extra mile to provide their service it seemed that LPC was unwilling/unable to do likewise. It took an impromptu street protest for the LPC to hastily get their operations in order immediately after the floods. Should something similar be done before the electricity supply will return to normal?
It is time that something is done to return the electricity supply to normal. Could the Regional Administration or the Minister responsible for energy intervene? The least that can be done is to inform the public as to the exact reason why the electricity supply cannot be returned to normal as yet.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011
Dear Editor,
Lethem and its environs have been receiving glorious sunshine for almost a month now. The roads and trails are once again bone dry and dusty and even the unique Rupununi dry season breeze is again blowing frequently. This clearly indicates that the dry season has begun. However, it seems that our utility company, Lethem Power Company (LPC), is not reading these signs.
During the heart of the rainy season when Lethem experienced its heaviest floods in recent memory and the main access road from Georgetown to Lethem was closed off, LPC made the decision to curtail the 24-hr electricity supply citing difficulty in securing a reliable fuel supply for its generator. The public understood these difficulties and agreed with the company’s decision. It was assumed that as soon as the road became passable that the LPC would have made all efforts to ensure that sufficient fuel was stockpiled and electricity would return to normal.
However, it’s now going on to six weeks since traffic resumed on the GT/Lethem road. Even cars and minibuses are traversing the road, which means that it is passable for all types of vehicles. Yet our electricity supply has not returned to normal. It seems that only the LPC fuel tankers are unable to use the road. The public would like to know why electricity continues to be curtailed even though the fuel supply should have returned to normal. There are no grounds for the LPC to say that they are unable to get their fuel into Lethem on time.
Who are the authorities in charge of LPC? It is time that they make a pronouncement on why Lethem and its environs continue to receive rationed electricity. Even during the rainy season there was much discontent over the efforts that LPC made to get their fuel into Lethem. Many felt that they did not do enough to alleviate the fuel shortage. Even when things improved marginally and other businesses went the extra mile to provide their service it seemed that LPC was unwilling/unable to do likewise. It took an impromptu street protest for the LPC to hastily get their operations in order immediately after the floods. Should something similar be done before the electricity supply will return to normal?
It is time that something is done to return the electricity supply to normal. Could the Regional Administration or the Minister responsible for energy intervene? The least that can be done is to inform the public as to the exact reason why the electricity supply cannot be returned to normal as yet.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Source
Former Member
No work has started yet on the Rupununi roads
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011
Dear Editor,
Less than one mile from Lethem along the South Rupununi road there are a number of vehicles stuck in some mud holes. Approximately 25 miles north of Lethem, near the Pirara area, another poorly filled stretch of road is causing nightmares for vehicles. Around Lethem, at the main entry point by the airstrip, there are such large holes in the road that they can be considered mini craters. A little further down the road, outside of the army barracks, there is another stretch of potholed street.
All of these damaged/poor roads exist even though our President, with much pomp and fanfare, announced over five months ago that hundreds of millions of dollars had been allocated for road repairs in the region. Some big name contractors such as BK, Mekdeci, etc, were touted as being the ones contracted to undertake the repairs, but none have yet been seen doing any work. Is our President aware that no work has yet started on these roads, so many months after he had made his promise? Why are these road repairs taking so long to commence? The road contractors should have been able to mobilize their equipment and commence work by now. After all it is now almost two months since the heavy rains ceased yet not even the mobilization of equipment has begun. With the big names touted as contractors, one would have assumed that they would have been more efficient and professional. But it seems that it is worse than before.
Imagine that no repairs have been undertaken along the GT-Lethem road for over a year, yet the pontoon still charges its exorbitant tolls. These tolls were priced so as to offset road repairs because it was the same company running both the pontoon service and road maintenance. This has changed and the company no longer undertakes the road maintenance (at least no maintenance has been obvious for a very long time) but the toll structure remains the same.
Almost two years ago the Minister of Public Works proclaimed that the bridges along the GT-Lethem road would be upgraded to concrete structures since the vehicles were getting bigger and heavier. Residents welcomed this decision since it seemed the most rational thing to do. From then to now not one concrete bridge has been built. Businessmen have incurred major losses after their heavy duty trucks fell through rotting bridges. A few months ago a popular businessman’s son died after his truck fell through a bridge. Our Minister’s response to the incident was that it was because of negligent driving. The Minister can be questioned as to whether the ‘negligence’ was by the driver or by the authorities who promised better bridge infrastructure but never delivered on it.
Many road repairs were done around Lethem just before the President’s visit in April. Cynics argued that these works were undertaken just to show the area in a positive light to the President, because for a long time previous to the visit no repairs had been undertaken. This argument can be vindicated because since the President’s departure no further works were undertaken and many stretches of the road have again deteriorated. It was amusing (and at the same time exasperating) to see the NDC hastily filling the potholes with crushed stone and tar to cover up the bad sections of the road for President Jagdeo’s visit, knowing full well that it was not going to last. True to form these ‘repairs’ did not even last a month.
A better access road to the South Rupununi has been promised for many years. This road seems impossible to conquer by road builders. No matter how much work is done it seems to make the roads worse rather than better. This year saw a continuation of the same pattern. A local road contractor undertook road repairs just before the rainy season and, despite numerous warning by locals that the material was not suited for the road construction, ended up causing more harm than good. Sections of the ‘upgraded’ road washed away during the first floods. Other areas simply became slushy and impassable because the material used was not conducive to the type of roadworks needed. Eventually most of this ‘new’ road was abandoned and locals resorted to the savannah trails. Yet it seemed that the regional engineers and overseers gave this road a pass grade.
A few years ago a long bridge was constructed over the Rupununi River, the main obstacle for road users during the rainy season since it frequently became impassable. Residents felt that this would have brought an end to their transportation woes during the rainy season. This bridge did not even last a month before an excavator fell through it.
From then to now no repairs were done on this bridge and neither was any attempt made to create an alternative. This bridge was brought up at numerous forums because it was deemed an absolutely vital link, and despite numerous promises the situation remains the same. Every heavy rainfall which floods the Rupununi River basically cuts off the South Rupununi from the North Rupununi and the coastland.
The residents of the Rupununi are urging President Jagdeo to use his authority to hasten the process of road repairs in the region. The people have already suffered much due to the unusually heavy rains. The least that can be done for them is to speed up remedial works so that life can return to some degree of normalcy. It seems that if this decision is left to the contractors then another rainy season may return or elections will be completed and the road repairs would not have been undertaken, such is their sloth.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address
provided)
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011
Dear Editor,
Less than one mile from Lethem along the South Rupununi road there are a number of vehicles stuck in some mud holes. Approximately 25 miles north of Lethem, near the Pirara area, another poorly filled stretch of road is causing nightmares for vehicles. Around Lethem, at the main entry point by the airstrip, there are such large holes in the road that they can be considered mini craters. A little further down the road, outside of the army barracks, there is another stretch of potholed street.
All of these damaged/poor roads exist even though our President, with much pomp and fanfare, announced over five months ago that hundreds of millions of dollars had been allocated for road repairs in the region. Some big name contractors such as BK, Mekdeci, etc, were touted as being the ones contracted to undertake the repairs, but none have yet been seen doing any work. Is our President aware that no work has yet started on these roads, so many months after he had made his promise? Why are these road repairs taking so long to commence? The road contractors should have been able to mobilize their equipment and commence work by now. After all it is now almost two months since the heavy rains ceased yet not even the mobilization of equipment has begun. With the big names touted as contractors, one would have assumed that they would have been more efficient and professional. But it seems that it is worse than before.
Imagine that no repairs have been undertaken along the GT-Lethem road for over a year, yet the pontoon still charges its exorbitant tolls. These tolls were priced so as to offset road repairs because it was the same company running both the pontoon service and road maintenance. This has changed and the company no longer undertakes the road maintenance (at least no maintenance has been obvious for a very long time) but the toll structure remains the same.
Almost two years ago the Minister of Public Works proclaimed that the bridges along the GT-Lethem road would be upgraded to concrete structures since the vehicles were getting bigger and heavier. Residents welcomed this decision since it seemed the most rational thing to do. From then to now not one concrete bridge has been built. Businessmen have incurred major losses after their heavy duty trucks fell through rotting bridges. A few months ago a popular businessman’s son died after his truck fell through a bridge. Our Minister’s response to the incident was that it was because of negligent driving. The Minister can be questioned as to whether the ‘negligence’ was by the driver or by the authorities who promised better bridge infrastructure but never delivered on it.
Many road repairs were done around Lethem just before the President’s visit in April. Cynics argued that these works were undertaken just to show the area in a positive light to the President, because for a long time previous to the visit no repairs had been undertaken. This argument can be vindicated because since the President’s departure no further works were undertaken and many stretches of the road have again deteriorated. It was amusing (and at the same time exasperating) to see the NDC hastily filling the potholes with crushed stone and tar to cover up the bad sections of the road for President Jagdeo’s visit, knowing full well that it was not going to last. True to form these ‘repairs’ did not even last a month.
A better access road to the South Rupununi has been promised for many years. This road seems impossible to conquer by road builders. No matter how much work is done it seems to make the roads worse rather than better. This year saw a continuation of the same pattern. A local road contractor undertook road repairs just before the rainy season and, despite numerous warning by locals that the material was not suited for the road construction, ended up causing more harm than good. Sections of the ‘upgraded’ road washed away during the first floods. Other areas simply became slushy and impassable because the material used was not conducive to the type of roadworks needed. Eventually most of this ‘new’ road was abandoned and locals resorted to the savannah trails. Yet it seemed that the regional engineers and overseers gave this road a pass grade.
A few years ago a long bridge was constructed over the Rupununi River, the main obstacle for road users during the rainy season since it frequently became impassable. Residents felt that this would have brought an end to their transportation woes during the rainy season. This bridge did not even last a month before an excavator fell through it.
From then to now no repairs were done on this bridge and neither was any attempt made to create an alternative. This bridge was brought up at numerous forums because it was deemed an absolutely vital link, and despite numerous promises the situation remains the same. Every heavy rainfall which floods the Rupununi River basically cuts off the South Rupununi from the North Rupununi and the coastland.
The residents of the Rupununi are urging President Jagdeo to use his authority to hasten the process of road repairs in the region. The people have already suffered much due to the unusually heavy rains. The least that can be done for them is to speed up remedial works so that life can return to some degree of normalcy. It seems that if this decision is left to the contractors then another rainy season may return or elections will be completed and the road repairs would not have been undertaken, such is their sloth.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address
provided)
Source
Former Member
quote:Originally posted by Gerhard Ramsaroop:
Truck crushes Lethem trail bridge
By STABROEK EDITOR |
PHOTOS | FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011
Several bridges along the Lethem trail have collapsed under the heavy weight of trucks and in the aftermath of deep flooding last month. This is the bridge just before Madonna. (GINA photo)
Source
Bridge collapses along Lethem trail
By STABROEK EDITOR |
PHOTOS | FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011
In the aftermath of deep flooding and heavy trucks, several bridges along the Lethem trail have collapsed and one resulted in the death of a person. This is the bridge at Moco Moco where truck driver Yusir Khan died after the bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck. (GINA photo)
Source
This is a good illustration of what 54 years of PPPNC rule has done to Guyana.
Former Member
Lethem’s main economic road deplorable - Rupununi chamber pres.
AUGUST 30, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS
Lethem is a growing economic hub in Region Nine, but its main commercial road, Barrack Retreat, from the Takutu Bridge to the airport does not reflect the community’s development. The President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alfred Ramsaran, cited the lack of maintenance works coupled with the recent heavy rainfall in the Region, as the two main reasons for the ditches and potholes along the stretch. Ramsaran asserted that, “Numerous complaints to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and Regional Democratic Council to repair the worn double bitumen surface treatment road or what is left of it, have gone on deaf ears.” He explained that the road is heavily traversed and is vital to the economic activities of the district.
Ramsaran added that Lethem depends on tourism and trade with its neighbour, Brazil. It was noted that almost daily approximately 40 persons enter Lethem using air transport and the majority of them are tourists. Ramsaran emphasized that though tourists come to Guyana’s hinterland for its natural environment, the main road which they use should be of good quality. Ramsaran stressed that Lethem and Brazil share a good trade relationship. He noted that most of the community’s income is earned through this trade, but the condition of the road is becoming a problem. “Brazilians come to Lethem to purchase cargo, as a matter of fact, they purchase most of the items from the shops in the community and they have to travel on this deplorable road,” he stated.
Source
AUGUST 30, 2011 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS
Lethem is a growing economic hub in Region Nine, but its main commercial road, Barrack Retreat, from the Takutu Bridge to the airport does not reflect the community’s development. The President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alfred Ramsaran, cited the lack of maintenance works coupled with the recent heavy rainfall in the Region, as the two main reasons for the ditches and potholes along the stretch. Ramsaran asserted that, “Numerous complaints to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and Regional Democratic Council to repair the worn double bitumen surface treatment road or what is left of it, have gone on deaf ears.” He explained that the road is heavily traversed and is vital to the economic activities of the district.
Ramsaran added that Lethem depends on tourism and trade with its neighbour, Brazil. It was noted that almost daily approximately 40 persons enter Lethem using air transport and the majority of them are tourists. Ramsaran emphasized that though tourists come to Guyana’s hinterland for its natural environment, the main road which they use should be of good quality. Ramsaran stressed that Lethem and Brazil share a good trade relationship. He noted that most of the community’s income is earned through this trade, but the condition of the road is becoming a problem. “Brazilians come to Lethem to purchase cargo, as a matter of fact, they purchase most of the items from the shops in the community and they have to travel on this deplorable road,” he stated.
Source
Former Member
Still no regular electricity in Lethem
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
Dear Editor,
September marks the fourth month since the Lethem Power Company (LPC) decided to institute a reduced electricity supply to Lethem and its environs on the grounds that it was difficult to get a reliable supply of fuel for its generator due to the rainy season and the deteriorating GT-Lethem road. This situation is now getting totally unacceptable as it seems that LPC has no intention of returning to supplying the regular electricity service even though the GT-Lethem road has long reopened to traffic and the fuel supply should have returned to normal.
Is there a deeper reason why the Lethem community continues to have this rationed electricity supply? Are we being punished for some unseen reason? Or is it simply that the management of the LPC is incapable of managing its operations in an efficient manner? It seems as though the rainy season and bad roads were simply excuses to return Lethem to its previous state of limited electricity. The question to be asked is why?
Where is the management of LPC or the regional administration or even the government? Shouldn’t they at least have the decency to provide the people of Lethem with a reason/s why we still have to be faced with this shortage? Is fuel still in short supply? If so, why? The road is no longer impassable and the rains have stopped so these cannot be the reasons. Is LPC being held to ransom by the fuel supplier? If so, can’t the management put alternative arrangements in place? Is there a financial reason? Could it be that LPC is not sustainable? If so, are any plans in place to correct this defect?
Our government often goes public and announces that Lethem is the hub of its supposed development plan for our country. Yet for every positive step that is taken in this area, we seem to be doomed to many negative ones which effectively cancel out our development. A reliable source of electricity is arguably the main prerequisite for any proper development to take place. Imagine all those business people that invested in Lethem assuming that they would have had a reliable electricity supply, only to be faced with this present shortcoming.
It is time that Lethem says enough is enough and start getting LPC to operate like a professional utility that is expected to provide an efficient service to the people. Well-known businesswoman Ms Linda Khan had to arrange an impromptu protest for LPC to restore electricity after the floods. This was again another instance of LPC shunning its responsibilities. It took a public outcry for the matter to be resolved. Should we go along this route again for our concerns to be addressed and remedied?
It is disappointing that the two main daily newspapers, Kaieteur and Stabroek News, have reporters residing in Lethem yet neither have deemed this issue important enough to warrant some investigative journalism (Ed note: SN has no reporter stationed in Lethem). They are urged to reconsider and at least make some information available to the public.
Lethem needs to have it 24-hour electricity restored. We have gone forward as a community and this present situation is a major backward step. The onus is on our government, which thought it best to develop our area, to ensure that this development continues. If there are regressions then the people become upset and protest the conditions. We look forward to their intervention and a return to normalcy of the electricity supply in Lethem.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Source
By STABROEK STAFF | LETTERS | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
Dear Editor,
September marks the fourth month since the Lethem Power Company (LPC) decided to institute a reduced electricity supply to Lethem and its environs on the grounds that it was difficult to get a reliable supply of fuel for its generator due to the rainy season and the deteriorating GT-Lethem road. This situation is now getting totally unacceptable as it seems that LPC has no intention of returning to supplying the regular electricity service even though the GT-Lethem road has long reopened to traffic and the fuel supply should have returned to normal.
Is there a deeper reason why the Lethem community continues to have this rationed electricity supply? Are we being punished for some unseen reason? Or is it simply that the management of the LPC is incapable of managing its operations in an efficient manner? It seems as though the rainy season and bad roads were simply excuses to return Lethem to its previous state of limited electricity. The question to be asked is why?
Where is the management of LPC or the regional administration or even the government? Shouldn’t they at least have the decency to provide the people of Lethem with a reason/s why we still have to be faced with this shortage? Is fuel still in short supply? If so, why? The road is no longer impassable and the rains have stopped so these cannot be the reasons. Is LPC being held to ransom by the fuel supplier? If so, can’t the management put alternative arrangements in place? Is there a financial reason? Could it be that LPC is not sustainable? If so, are any plans in place to correct this defect?
Our government often goes public and announces that Lethem is the hub of its supposed development plan for our country. Yet for every positive step that is taken in this area, we seem to be doomed to many negative ones which effectively cancel out our development. A reliable source of electricity is arguably the main prerequisite for any proper development to take place. Imagine all those business people that invested in Lethem assuming that they would have had a reliable electricity supply, only to be faced with this present shortcoming.
It is time that Lethem says enough is enough and start getting LPC to operate like a professional utility that is expected to provide an efficient service to the people. Well-known businesswoman Ms Linda Khan had to arrange an impromptu protest for LPC to restore electricity after the floods. This was again another instance of LPC shunning its responsibilities. It took a public outcry for the matter to be resolved. Should we go along this route again for our concerns to be addressed and remedied?
It is disappointing that the two main daily newspapers, Kaieteur and Stabroek News, have reporters residing in Lethem yet neither have deemed this issue important enough to warrant some investigative journalism (Ed note: SN has no reporter stationed in Lethem). They are urged to reconsider and at least make some information available to the public.
Lethem needs to have it 24-hour electricity restored. We have gone forward as a community and this present situation is a major backward step. The onus is on our government, which thought it best to develop our area, to ensure that this development continues. If there are regressions then the people become upset and protest the conditions. We look forward to their intervention and a return to normalcy of the electricity supply in Lethem.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
Source
Horse Man (Guest)
This is what we do all the time, we go in show up mek big promises and then leave and it all falls to shit.
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