Former People’s National Congress member and Minister of Works and Transportation, Steve Naraine passed away yesterday in Canada. He was 89.
A statement from the Ministry of Public Works yesterday expressed sadness and regret at his passing.
The Ministry said that Naraine made significant contributions in engineering and in the development of public infrastructure.
It cited the Demerara Harbour Bridge (1976-78), the Sherima Crossing, Allsopp Point and the Upper Mazaruni Road which facilitated the connection of the coastal road to the hinterland and the Linden/Mabura Road which eventually facilitated the Omai Gold Mines Limited Investment.
The statement said that Naraine was a graduate of London University and was one of the first Guyanese to study at Delft Technological Institute in the Netherlands in the area of sea defence.
He held various posts in the Public Works Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department from District Engineer in 1951 to that of Director of Drainage and Irrigation between 1960 and 1963.
The Ministry statement said that he also held the position of Chief Works and Hydraulics Officer from 1963 to 1970 and that of Technical Specialist in the Ministry of Economic Development from 1971 to 1972.
Naraine became a Member of Parliament in the 1970s and held a number of cabinet portfolios including as Minister of Housing between 1972 to 1974, Senior Minister of Works and Transport between 1974 and 1980 and as Vice President , Works and Transport and later Social Infrastructure between 1980 and 1983.
The Ministry statement pointed out that the Maritime Administration Department’s dredger MV Steve `N’ was named in his honour.
He was also instrumental in the setting up of the consulting firm SRKN’ engineering.
Two of his sons Ravi and Krishna Naraine followed him in the field of engineering.
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and the ministry expressed condolences to Naraine’s family.
