ONE of government’s plans for this country is the expansion and modernisation of the Timehri airport. This plan entails massive infrastructural works to be conducted there, all aimed at bringing the airport in line with international standards. A major feature of its development is the lengthening of the airport’s runway which would see the port stretching way forward into territory now occupied by squatters in the nearby community.

Government, very cordially, requested of the squatters that they would have to relocate someplace else to facilitate the expansion. Instead of  meeting with the government’s team to discuss the smooth transition to another location, they immediately became confrontational, seeking advice from the opposition.
They have consulted prominent political figures such as David Granger and Nigel Hughes. They have also staked out the opinion of so-called social activists Freddie Kissoon and Mark Benschop in their grand standoff with the government. Instead of entering into discussion with the state as to the possibilities of where to go and how this can be effectively done, these people have become hostile and political.
Instead of exploring all the possibilties of a smooth transition to a new location, they are playing politics. Their position is the usual “I shall not be moved stubborness”, for which the opposition is giving them full support. Whether they will succeed in their endeavours is their mistaken belief, because with a developmental programme such as this, there will come a time when the government must put its foot down and say enough is enough and move ahead with the state’s business, irrespective of politics and people.  
I have paid keen attention to their argument that they were living there for so many years and should be granted prescriptive rights. As a preferred or accepted alternative, they are to be granted ownership instead of moving. Sounds good to the hearers; but squatters must realize that they have no rights there, irrespective of their time living there. My knowledge of the law is once you are categorised squatter, your “rights” to ownership or anything for that matter of fact, lies in a discussion or negotiation with the owner of the property. Further to it is the fact that once you, a squatter, in legal terminology, is disturbed or notified of the owner’s intentions, you must comply.
In the Timehri case,those squatters were notified or disturbed numerous times, even from the days of the PNC, the very same individuals that are now touting civil disobedience, that an airport expansion project is planned and there will come a time that they, squatters, will have to move. So with all the hot air about giving resistance to government’s request to move, the opposition must check their records involving the airport plans and see what was their position about squatters then, to their hypocritical stance now.
The same could be said of the people living in the immediate surroundings of the Ogle Municipal Airport and the University of Guyana. Both of these places are expanding institutions and there should not be any permanent dwellers living within a certain radius. That was breached so many times over that when the time comes for those institutions to seek expansion, another storm will be on the horizon.
A simple developmental plan for an airport which would redound to the benefit of all must hit a snag due to the senseless attack of a brainless opposition. As in everything in Guyana today, politics and racism seem to take precedence. That is the cheap way the opposition will score points. Politics and the age-old racist ideas seem to taint everything. It either taints the discussion on anything progressive or hinders the progress government wants to make. Who would want to stand in the way of an airport expansion project?  Who would want to impede progress of one’s country?  The answer is people who have nothing constructive to do with their time. It is high time the opposition stop their foolishness.