-Minister Edghill urges new Sea and River Defence Board

THE newly- appointed Sea and River Defence Board was, on Tuesday, formally installed by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, who charged its twenty members to be proactive and work together to get things done.
Minister Edghill told the board, which is headed by Brigadier Gary Beaton, that the main aim must be the development and prosperity of Guyana.

He said, given that the country is becoming a hotspot for business, river development, water front development, provision of facilities such as wharves for ships and boats of all kinds will become a necessity in every region.
“The guidance that I want to give to the chairman and directors of the board is that we are facilitating business in Guyana. We are not obstructing business; so when you come to this board your deliberations are not about giving people a hard time, it is about how you can make it happen in keeping with the rules, ensuring compliance with our laws, and ensuring that development takes place,” said Minister Edghill.

He added that river and sea defence is set to become extremely important in the coming years. The minister explained that, given the government’s plan for incentives in plantation agriculture in corn and soya beans, getting supplies and moving products from farms to markets will not only be by way of roads, but also by river.
He reminded the board members that they must work to ensure that a more effective and efficient service is offered to the persons that would be making proposals for projects and investments.

“You must be known as a board that gets things done. People must have confidence that when their applications reach the Sea and River Defence Board it will be moving. It’s either yes with conditions, yes with suggestions or no it cannot be facilitated because of the nature of the work you are going to do. But the royal run around and the frustration of people having to be knocking on fifteen different doors, and even being suggested that they might have to meet specific people with specific proposals in order to get through must come to an end,” Minister Edghill told the gathering.

Further, he told the board members that he will be willing to listen to them and provide solutions to any matter that may need his input. He added that informed decisions must be taken and approved in a timely manner so as to not delay Guyana’s further development.

GNSC BOARD
Meanwhile, on Monday, Minister Edghill installed a new Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) Board.
This board is being chaired by Euclin Gomes. It comprises members with a wide variety of expertise, according to Minister Edghill. He informed that there are individuals with years of experience in law, engineering, community activism and the Maritime sector, among others.

Minister Edghill urged the GNSC team to put together their innovative thoughts since nothing can be accomplished in a “business as usual mode”.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the board is expected to lift the standards of the GNSC by ensuring competitive prices are instituted and there is a high level of transparency and accountability.
The new board members who have already commenced work, and who will serve for one year, said they hope their various experiences will be an asset to the corporation.