MANAGERS and Directors of the newly renamed Ministry of Public Infrastructure were challenged by the incumbent Minister, Hon. David Patterson, during an interactive meeting at the Ministry’s Boardroom on Friday last, to be proactive in how they manage their respective agencies/departments.“This Ministry has a lot on its hands. Therefore, it is imperative that managers continuously engage and connect with their staff and various stakeholders. Effective stakeholders’ engagement is a critical element in successful management,” he charged. “We have to define and defend our mandate.”

Minister Patterson also hinted that there will be a revised structure on how the Ministry tackles roads and sea defence maintenance.
He, along with Hon. Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry, were briefed on the agencies/departments’ roles, projects and financial performance among other things.
In her address to the managers, Minister Ferguson said she is enthusiastic to work along with the managers, describing them as the backbone of the Ministry and servants of the people.
“We have the nation’s business to look after and we are here to get the job done,” she said.
The meeting involved 21 top officials including: Balraj Balram, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary; Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA); Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of Works Services Group (WSG); Maitland Stewart, acting Chief Sea and River Defence Officer; Claudette Rogers, Director General of Maritime Administration Department (MARAD); Marcelene Merchant, General Manager of Transport and Harbours (T&HD); Zulficar Mohamed, Director General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Rawlston Adams, General Manager of Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB); Ron Rahaman, Chief Roads and Bridges Officer and Louise Williams, General Manager of Canawaima Ferry Service.