Former Vice President and civil engineer dies

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

Former Vice President in the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR), Steve Narine died on Tuesday in Canada.

He was 89.

The Public Works Ministry expressed its sadness at the passing of the civil engineer and credited him with playing major roles in the development of public infrastructure.

“He has made significant contributions in the field of engineering as well as the development of public infrastructure,” said the ministry in a statement.

They included the Demerara Harbour Bridge (1976 to 1978), Sherima Crossing, Allsopp Point and the Upper Mazaruni Road to facilitate connections to the hinterland, the and the Linden-Mabura Road that linked Omai Gold Mines.

Naraine became a parliamentarian in the early 1970s under the then Forbes Burnham-led administration of the Peoples National Congress (PNC). During that period, he held several portfolios including Minister of Housing (1972-1974), Senior Minister of Works and Transport (1974-1980) and Vice President Works and Transport and later Social Infrastructure (1980- 1983).

The Maritime Administration’s dredger, ‘Steve N’, was named after Naraine, a graduate from London University. He was also one of the first Guyanese to have studied sea defence at the Netherlands-based Delft Technological Institute.

He held various positions in the Public Works and Drainage and Irrigation Departments from District Engineer in 1951 to that of Director of Drainage and Irrigation from 1960 to 1963. He also was a former Chief Works and Hydraulics Officer from 1963-1970 and Technical Specialist in the Ministry of Economic Development from 1971 to 1972.

Naraine was instrumental in setting up the consulting engineering firm, SKRN Engineering. He was succeeded in the field of engineering by his two sons, Ravi Naraine and Dr.Krishna Naraine.