Guyana did what it had to do
–Minister Benn
HAD Guyana not taken the steps it did in 2011, when it signed a deal for expansion of the runway and erection of a new terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, the project may have never gotten off the ground, since Guyana would have been unable to access funding that was available then. This is the view of Public Works and Transport Minister Robeson Benn, under whose ministry the CJIA falls. The minister was at the time addressing a gathering to celebrate the 10th anniversary since the CJIA became a corporation back in 2002.
The minister mentioned a deal between himself, on behalf of the Guyana Government, and the firm from China, signed at his office in 2011. He said Guyana signed the deal in an effort to secure from China funding for the project.
He explained that at the time the deal was on the table, the Chinese Premier was in the Caribbean offering millions of dollars for various projects, such as infrastructure and airports upgrade.
The minister said Guyana was caught off-guard when the signing of the deal, which took place in his office, hit the newspapers in another Caribbean territory in less than 24 hours of the signing.
He told those gathered that Cabinet was not even briefed about the completion of the signing, or the particulars, when the article surfaced in the overseas press.
Minister Benn said that that development saw Guyana being caught off-guard, and was a shock to the parties involved. He added that as a result, Guyana was on its “back foot” about entering an agreement.
However, because of the very narrow window that existed in September when the Chinese Premier was in the Caribbean, it was the only opportunity for Guyana to secure the funding, the minister added.
He explained that luckily for Guyana, all the necessary and required paperwork was in order, and Guyana was able to secure the funding.
“It (funding) would have gone elsewhere if we had not done what we had to do,” Minister Benn said.
According to the minister, at this juncture, the government is open to discussion and review. He said signing the deal was the path the government had taken, and Guyana would be spending G$150M in respect of the activities. He said Guyana is at the point of no turning back, because the project cannot be postponed now.
In 2011, Guyana was engaged in discussions, negotiations, feasibility studies, and acceptance of proposals, among other items. Minister Benn told the gathering that the airport would see its runway length increase by just over one thousand metres, in keeping with international standards that would enable Guyana to accommodate larger aircraft.
Additionally, Minister Benn explained, expansion works at the airport are necessary because of the projected growth in the arrivals at the facility because of the booming tourism sector, which also contributes to the influx of passengers to Guyana. Guyana needs to be able to accommodate larger aircraft, as well as facilitate stopover and refuelling of aircraft at its terminal, the minister added.
It is the view of the Guyana Government that focus not only be placed on the traditional transport markets and destinations, the minister said. He pointed to the developing transport sectors, such as South American and South African markets. He added that there are also those further afield, including in countries like Singapore, Indonesia, China and India, which he noted are developing rapidly
“The only way it can be done — and we have to look ahead for the next 50 years — is to put in place the new facility we have spoken of in respect of a new airport terminal building and an extension of the runway. There is no other way.”
According to Minister Benn, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport has recorded a 27 percent growth in passenger arrivals to this country, and this could continue, once those involved remain committed.
Minister Benn told the gathering that capacity constraints and the growth in the travelling population over the next 20 years are something that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport would be unable to deal with in its present state. He also addressed the issue of congestion, illegal activities, and unsightly scenery in the environs of the nation’s principal airport. These, he said, cannot be allowed to continue, as they complicate the operations of the facility and reduce the standard of the CJIA as well.
In his closing remarks, Minister Benn congratulated the airport staff and all other parties who played a part last year when a Caribbean Airlines craft overshot the runway. The minister added that the teams did an impressive job, and ought to be commended. He said that despite the negative press that the accident whipped up for the airport, and the criticism of the response, this did not affect travel to Guyana, and even saw additional airlines coming into the country.
He commended the airport staff under its Chief Executive officer, Ramesh Geer, for a significant decade; while recalling the unsavory state of the facility a few decades back, describing it as a dump which people were afraid to use whenever they had to leave or enter these shores.
He described the developments and transformation at the facility as a sea change. The airport management team and its staff have exceeded the expectations of many, earning the CJIA the right to be described as one of the most beautiful airports in the Caribbean, Minister Benn added.