MARAD capacity to be boosted with new HQ

─building will assist MARAD in preparations for oil & gas industry
─ construction to begin in 2020

DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 21, 2019

To further strengthen its capacity to deliver on its mandate to bolster the oversight for the maritime sector, the Maritime Administration Department has turned the sod for their new headquarters in Kingston.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson; Director-General of the Maritime Administration Department, Claudette Rogers along with members of MARAD and visitors from the Caribbean

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson and Director-General of the Maritime Administration Department, Claudette Rogers turning the sod at the new site for the MARAD in Kingston

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson

Director-General of the Maritime Administration Department, Claudette Rogers

During remarks at a simple ceremony held at the site for the new building, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson noted the site in Kingston was determined to be the most suitable after many other sites were considered.

He explained that as part of the Coalition Government’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), “one of the areas in which we have tasked MARAD to do is not only to build a functional building for their operation, but it must be energy efficient and it must harness as much of the local and natural resources as possible.” The Public Infrastructure Minister also mentioned that the completion of the new building is in keeping with the government’s goals.

Additionally, Director-General of MARAD, Claudette Rogers exuberantly stated that the sod turning was a momentous occasion. “When we look in terms of where we were, where we are, and where we’re going, we are very pleased to know in keeping with our preparation for the oil and gas industry, we will better be able to house all of our staff in one location,” she said.

The head of the Maritime Administration conveyed that the construction of the headquarters will assist in upholding Guyana’s obligations under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure there are, “safe, secure and clean seas.”

With the construction of the new headquarters, MARAD will be able to accommodate all its technical staff. This building also allows the Government to work towards the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 14, which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and maritime resources for sustainable development. Construction of the building will commence in 2020.

Images: Keno George