By Ray ChickrieCaribbean News Now contributorWASHINGTON,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, USA — A November 2015 report compiled by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) was critical of the state of civil aviation in Guyana,Cheap Jerseys, and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) came under heavy criticism for controlling both technical regulations and policymaking entities.The IDB report asserts that such “concentration of functions in the GCAA has potential implications that could prevent the healthy development of the civil aviation sector” in Guyana.The report suggests that policy setting and technical regulation “may be compromised if the functions of policy-making and technical regulation” are performed by a single body like GCAA. It is important, the report said,NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap, to assign these functions to independent entities to avoid any interference between these activities, which can go both ways.For example, it is essential for “the technical regulator to be absolutely objective when carrying out safety oversights on local carriers, regardless of any policy that may encourage the protection of the local airlines.”According to the IDB report, other problems that can arise from GCAA’s extensive power over its many functions, is the manipulation of technicalities to implement policy. It added, “Considering that bilateral agreements that govern air services are very complex and time consuming to negotiate, it is important that policies be stated in a clear and transparent way.”The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommends the separation of the economic and technical regulation functions “so that the latter will not be influenced in order to apply a certain unstated policy.”“By accomplishing a clear separation of functions, Guyana and Suriname would be able to foster both an unrestricted market access and a competitive environment for both local and foreign carriers. In the case of Suriname, the only conflict of interest in its current institutional framework is the concentration of technical regulation and air accidents investigation functions in the CASAS,” the IDB report suggests.In Suriname, which was also part of the report, the IDB notes that there is an “unhealthy concentration of the functions in the Civil Aviation Safety and Authority Suriname (CASAS), responsible for the sector’s technical regulation and investigation of accidents and incidents.”However, in the case of Suriname such power as in the case of the GCAA doesn’t exist there. CASAS is involved in two aviation bodies in Suriname, while in Guyana GCAA has its hands in three bodies that govern civil aviation there.The IDB study recommends that policymaking functions should be fully transferred to a different entity than the GCAA,Cheap China Jerseys Authentic, possibly the ministry of public works. This entity should be the only authority in the economic regulation of the air transport sector,China NFL Jerseys, including the establishment of air services agreements with other nations.It also calls for air traffic control operations to be transferred either to a new service provider that should operate independently from the GCAA, or potentially to the CJIA Corporation, “as there are no inherent conflicts of interest by having the airport and ATC operations performed by the same entity.”The IDB report also calls for an independent committee or board to be created to investigate accidents and incidents. And this committee or board should report directly to the president or to Parliament to “to ensure a completely unbiased and independent outcome of its investigations.”(From Caribbean News Now)

-probe into complaints against Matron, appointment of DCEO stalledThe Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as of November 30, last, has been operating without a Board of Directors. This is in light of the fact that a ministerial decision was taken to dissolve the Board.This publication was reliably informed that typically, the life of the Board is supposed to span three years with the members of the Board being informed of the continuance of their membership in the month of November. The life of the Board commenced earlier this year.According to reports reaching this newspaper,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, instead of being informed of the renewal of their membership, members were instead informed of the dissolution of the Board.Chairman of the Board, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman, said that he was in receipt of letters from Permanent Secretary, Mr. Trevor Thomas, and Minister of Public Health,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, Dr. George Norton, thanking him for his serviceBut not only has the Board been dissolved, Dr. Hanoman disclosed, but also efforts to appoint a new Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) have simultaneously been quashed. This development, Dr. Hanoman said, was communicated to him by the Minister by way of his letter.According to Dr. Hanoman while the Minister said that he was heartened by the move to appoint a DCEO, it would be best if such an appointment is done when a new Board is installed.The Dr. Hanoman-led Board had already conducted interviews and had shortlisted at least three candidates who were believed best suited for the position. These names were reportedly submitted to Minister Norton for his approval.But in an invited comment earlier this month,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, the Minister had told this publication that while he is aware that a name might have been identified to fill the position it has not yet been brought to his attention. He went on to explain that “the law says that the Minister must concur with the decision that is made by the Board but so far nothing has been brought to my attention and I haven’t concurred with anyone about any names as yet.”The creation of the DCEO position is a novel one and was found to be necessary after CEO, Mr. Michael Khan, proceeded on leave. This publication understands that Khan was asked to take outstanding leave after which his contract as CEO will not be renewed. Khan’s leave is slated to come to an end in July 2017.But there are some individuals close to the operation of the hospital who are convinced that there has been a deliberate move to delay the appointment of a DCEO since an individual was long “hand-picked” for the position even before the position existed.Dr. Hanoman was however not willing to comment on this state of affairs.In August senior officials of the GPHC, including the hospital Board, were reportedly stunned when a man claiming to have been appointed DCEO turned up at the facility issuing instructions for a meeting. At the time the position had not even existed.This publication was told that the “new” DCEO, Paul Clarke, whose last known public sector position was manager of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre,China NFL Jerseys, arrived at the public health facility and informed senior officials of his appointment. Clarke, this publication was reliably informed, arrived at the public hospital informing senior officials that he wanted to have a familiarisation meeting with them.Kaieteur News was told that Clarke did not bother to present a letter of appointment to anyone to substantiate his claim of being the DCEO.Reports reaching this publication had suggested that Clarke had said that he was there on the instruction of the Permanent Secretary. Thomas, however, denied this claim.Clarke did not return to the GPHC after officials questioned his presence. However, a month later the Board of the GPHC decided to created the DCEO position. According to Dr. Hanoman the position was created with the intent of helping to improve the management of the facility.According to Dr. Hanoman, with the dissolution of the Board, not only has the appointment of the DCEO been stalled,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, but other crucial matters such as a Commission of Inquiry into complaints against the hospital’s Matron, Sister Collene Hicks, have been affected.The members of the COI had requested a two-week extension to complete their inquiry but, according to Dr. Hanoman, with the dissolution of the Board the activities in this regard are currently in limbo.“All I ever wanted to do was help to improve the Georgetown Hospital and I did what I could and with the limited resources I had…no one can dispute this,” asserted Dr. Hanoman.

The Takutu bridge, which connects Lethem and the south east of Guyana, to the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, was officially commissioned yesterday by President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.The ceremony was held in Bom Fin, a small town on the Brazilian side of the border,Wholesale Jerseys, which was classified recently by the authorities as a port of entry to facilitate the movement of people and goods from Guyana, before the ribbon cutting ceremony on the bridge.There was a large turnout, of hundreds of Brazilians as well as numerous Guyanese who travelled across the border, to witness this historic occasion.President Jagdeo expressed gratitude to his Brazilian counterpart whose support, he noted, was pivotal in ensuring the bridge’s completion.“There could be no more tangible demonstration of President Lula’s commitment to this project,” President Jagdeo said.Among his commendations to the Brazilian President, the Guyanese Head of State praised President Lula’s lifelong dedication to the cause of promoting social development and equity among people which has entourage.Also speaking at the opening ceremony were the Governor of the Brazilian state of Roraima, and the chairman of Region Nine, Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Clarindo Lucas.President Lula stressed that the commissioning of the bridge is only the start, stating, “today, we take a concrete and irreversible step to integrate Guyana and Brazil and bring prosperity to our people.”Among the many sentiments which the Brazilian President expressed about the structure was the fact that it will incorporate Guyana “once and for all” into South America and serve as a pathway for Brazil into the Caribbean.“The construction of this bridge over the Takutu River is the proof that peace and prosperity are built through integration and by confidence building,” President Lula said.He added that the bridge complements the plan to integrate the two countries’ Amazonian heritage, change the perception of Guyana and Brazil as just being neighbours and turn the two frontiers into a meeting point.The two Heads of State held a high level discussion before the ceremony and the Brazilian leader,Cheap Jerseys From China, said that his Guyanese counterpart,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, had highlighted the need for the development of hydropower.OTHER AGREEMENTSIn addition to the commissioning of the Takutu Bridge, several technical techno-Cooperation agreements were signed between Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Corporation Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her Brazilian counterpart Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim.The two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding, for the creation of a frontier committee, and for the promotion of trade and investment.Minister Rodrigues-Birkett also signed a cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Minister of Defence,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, Nelson Jobim on national defence matters.The Brazilian Ministry of Communications and National Postal Service also unveiled a commemorative stamp to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, between the two neighbours.Construction of the Takutu bridge intensified in April 2007 after a six-year delay. Back in February 2005 the Brazilian President made a pledge in Guyana’s parliament to have the bridge completed by the end of the same year.During his visit to Guyana he had said he was very aware of the importance of the bridge for Guyana and the northern states of Brazil, particularly the land-locked state of Roraima and he had indicated that he would visit Guyana for the commissioning of the bridge linking the two countries across the Takutu River.On the Guyana side,Bobby Doerr Jersey, a multi-purpose complex in Lethem,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Region Nine, funded by Government at a cost of $38.2M was built to provide accommodation for customs, immigration, security and other agencies needed at the trans-boundary location.The Guyana Government has also always had a vested interest in development of the Linden/Lethem roadway and in April 2008, started a pre-feasibility study.During a meeting with President Jagdeo at State House, in July this year Governor of the State of Roraima, Jose de Achieta Junior had discussed the possibilities of Brazil financing the Linden/Lethem road project.Speaking through his translator, President Lula said once such an infrastructure (Linden/Lethem road) is complete it will represent a total land link between Boa Vista and Georgetown and “an expansion of the prospects for development between Guyana and the entire Nort