CJIA runway extension…
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, in discussion with some of the affected residents of Timehri North
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, in discussion with some of the affected residents of Timehri North

Some Timehri North residents to be relocated
–but within the same community

NINETEEN homes in Timehri North, East Bank Demerara will be relocated, since they are in the direct path of the proposed site of the runway extension of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has said.

The Minister met with residents of Timehri North over the weekend for discussions on the community, and the planned CJIA expansion. Minister Patterson held two meetings with residents of the community. At the first meeting, he met with those residents directly affected by the airport’s expansion, while at the second meeting, he met with the general Timehri North community.

During the first session, members of the 19 affected households were able to speak directly with the minister and air their concerns about the matter.
The minister explained that moving everyone out of the area was not necessary, since it was only those homes that were directly in the path of the expected runway would be affected, hence their relocation, but within the same community.

He made the point, too, that while the expansion of the runway heralded development for Guyana, it should in no way be at the expense of people’s lives; that persons who would have dedicated their lives to the development of the Timehri North community should not have to suffer.

200 METRES WEST
The affected residents are to be relocated some 200 metres to the west of their current location. Construction on the identified plot of land has already begun, and is expected to be completed sometime next year.
The developed area will be equipped with roads and utilities such as electricity and water, while the homes will become the property of the residents.

“This is the right thing to do,” Minister Patterson said. “If you move someone from his home, you have to ensure that you give something back. In a few years, these will be prime properties. Right now, you might be in this situation and think yourself unlucky, but in a few years, that feeling will change,” he added.

GRATITUDE
A number of residents expressed their gratitude to the minister for the manner in which the situation was handled, and declared that their anxieties have been assuaged, since the previous administration had threatened the entire community with eviction.

The second session with the Timehri North residents was also well received. During that meeting, Minister Patterson interacted with the residents, and shared with them the plans the government has in store for the community. Among those plans are the regularisation of the community; the installation of standpipes to facilitate improved access to potable water; and the rehabilitation of the main road.

He, however, cautioned that while the Ministry will be working towards the betterment of the community, residents must also do likewise, since the ultimate objective is to see the community become registered.

“I’m not saying that the community cannot grow, but I’m saying it must not be a ‘Wild West’,” Minister Patterson stressed.

THE PROJECT
The CJIA project was first initiated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration and handed to China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), the outfit in charge of the project, in 2011.
The original components of the expansion were the extension of the runway from its original length of 7,500 feet to 10,800 feet to accommodate the Boeing 747-400 aircraft; doubling the aircraft’s position from four to eight; installing eight passenger boarding bridges; and installing approximately 300 cameras to boost the CCTV system.
However, after the new APNU+AFC administration launched an investigation into the project upon assuming office, rumour began going the rounds that the figure of US$150M previously quoted by the PPP/C was grossly understated, and that some expenditures were not included in the original contract.

These additional expenditures, as revealed by the new government in its earlier review, included a new car park costing some US$2.7M; equipment in the terminal for US$16M; the upgrade and replacement of navigational aids for US$1.3M; and construction of the perimeter fence and security lights for US$565,000.

The APNU+AFC administration and CHEC have reached a decision to cap further expenditures on the CJIA at US$23.7M, instead of the US$46.8M originally quoted. (Rabindra Rooplall)

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