THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) erected signs recently to discourage squatting on airport lands, but these were destroyed two days after they were set up.The Ministry of Public Works said in a statement that such behaviour is an extremely worrying situation as the signs were erected just last Monday. This destruction, the ministry noted, was done by persons who are bent on renewed squatting in the area.

The same area was recently occupied by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for ammunition storage and by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for antenna arrays for flight communications.
“Squatters on airport lands are again warned to desist from this activity because of its implications for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion project and the maintenance of law and order in the protection of the property rights,” the ministry stated.
The Public Works Ministry recently highlighted that on Thursday, April 9, 2015, CJIA staff and police stumbled upon this renewed activity in Timehri North, in the vicinity of the GDF ammo dump and the non-directional beacon (NDB). “The squatters were cautioned to discontinue their actions.”
The Ministry and the CJIA Airport Authority have been in discussions since 2008 and have held meetings and engaged in one-on-one conversations with squatters on relocation options, the airport expansion and health and safety risks of living in close proximity to the airport.
“Efforts have been made to encourage squatters to apply to the Lands and Surveys Commission for suitable alternative lands. However, many still refuse to take up the offer,” the ministry noted.
The Public Works Ministry ponders what would have stimulated the resumption of squatting on airport and public lands earmarked for a critical national development project. The Ministry has been and continues to help squatters relocate to suitable areas to ensure their source of income/livelihood is sustained is also top on the Ministry’s list of priorities.
The airport expansion is crucial to Guyana’s development, and the Public Works Ministry and CJIA remain committed to the project, the ministry’s statement added.