– as it repositions to meet the demands of emerging oil-and-gas sector

FORMER Harbour Master, Mr. Stephen Thomas was on Wednesday appointed as the new Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), replacing Ms. Claudette Rogers, who has been repositioned as Adviser on Maritime affairs.

The appointments were reportedly announced by Minister of Public Works (MoPW), Bishop Juan Edghill, during meetings with MARAD senior management and staff at the Department’s headoffice and boat house
According to a statement issued by the ministry on Wednesday, Thomas is well positioned to facilitate a new policy direction that comes with the portfolio, as he possesses key experiences and educational background, including an intimate knowledge of the various maritime and riparian communities, as well as their culture and economic activities. He is also credited with being familiar with Port and Maritime issues throughout Guyana and the major stakeholders.

The new MARAD administration has been tasked with conducting a review of all its systems and functions, and to assess the capacity and skillsets of its employees within the next 10 days.

“The announcement of the new appointments, as well as the policy directions that were given were warmly received by both the management and rank- and-file workers,” the MoPW said, adding:

“Various members of staff expressed gratitude for the role Ms. Claudette Rogers played, and wished her well in her new role as Adviser, while remaining a member of the Senior Management Division at the Administration. Similarly, words of welcome were offered to the incoming Director- General at every engagement held.”

Thomas has reportedly served over three decades in the ports and maritime sector, with the majority of it being as a senior officer with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) and MARAD, the MoPW said, adding that as Harbour Master, he was responsible for the management of all the country’s harbours in accordance with the Transport and Harbours Act, and assisted the T&HD in such areas as surveying their vessels, investigations, training of shipboard crews, and generally advising management on an ad hoc basis.

Thomas reportedly has a Master of Science Degree in Ports & Shipping Administration, and a host of other qualifications that make him eligible to fill the post to which he has been appointed.