MINISTER of Public Works, Mr. Robeson Benn, has said steps have already been taken towards finding alternative farmlands for those farmers living and working within the vicinity of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Speaking to the media on Monday, in his Kingston, Georgetown office, he said it is all a part of the airport expansion project and some farms have since been relocated.
“We have already relocated farms from the southern side of the airport and which created safety issues with respect to bird impacts, bird strikes on aircraft. We had safety issues,” Benn pointed out.
The minister reiterated that government has and will continue to put the interests of the people first.
He said, presently, a number of scenarios for relocation are being looked at and final steps are being taken as it relates to various issues surrounding the project.
“We think it can be amicably done if reasonable approaches are taken,” the minister said.
Previously, Timehri North residents were contemplating legal and civil action, such as protests, to fight for their land rights but, first, they are affording government the opportunity to do the “right thing”, he remarked.
However, Benn said, as soon as the relocation plan is finalised, residents will be informed and given the opportunity to vent any concerns they may have before the relocation process commences.
Government, last year, announced a major project to rebuild the entire CJIA with a US$138M loan from the Chinese Government. It will include a larger terminal building, longer runways, more concessions and the removal of almost 1,800 residents immediately north of the area. Some of them, who include staffers of CJIA, have been living there for more than 30 years.
In addition, government has promised to provide house lots for hundreds of persons currently dwelling on the outskirts of the CJIA, who are required to move as a result of the multi-million-dollar expansion scheme.

COMMITTEE
Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, recently, informed that, in the coming week, a committee will be established to implement the relocation procedure.
According to him, that multi-stakeholder committee would include representatives from the affected community as well as the CJIA, the Ministry of Public Works and the Housing Ministry, among others.
Minister Ali said some 20 acres have been earmarked for this relocation but, while the land will be just enough to accommodate those currently living in the targeted areas and are required to move, given its strategic economic ties to the community, access to the airport will remain a priority.
He disclosed that government would have to expend some $250M on infrastructural works, including on roads and drains for the newly developed area.
Ali explained that an accumulation of preliminary works, designs and installation of physical infrastructure included, would cost about $250M.
He said that the area identified for the relocation programme is primarily a swamp, and, as such, will require preparation.