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Accompanying the President to the airport were some Cabinet members, among them Public Works Minister, Mr Robeson Benn. They were greeted on arrival by CJIA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ramesh Geer, and taken on a tour of the facility, which commenced with inspection of the new L3 Body Scanner recently installed at the airport’s departure lounge.
L3 Body Scanner
Mr. Geer explained to the President and his entourage, which included members of the media, that the new body scanner would reduce the physical patting down that hitherto obtained, and would increase body scanning from the present rate to some 200-300 passengers per hour.
This scanner would increase the capability of the airport traffic in terms of processing passengers, and would bring the facility to the international standard required.
The President witnessed a physical demonstration of the effectiveness of the scanner when a security personnel was requested to pass through the scanner with three rounds of ammunition in her pocket. After the officers had demonstrated the scanning process to the President, two body images were shown, and three indicators on the image showed that something had been found.
The security personnel was taken aside and asked if she had anything to declare, whereupon she disclosed the three rounds on her person.
Mr. Geer explained that although the scanner would not be able to store images for evidence, it would assist in enhancing the processing of passengers, and reduce their physical patting at the facility.
Sod-turning ceremony
The President was then taken through the departure lounge on his way to the VIP arrival lounge, where the turning-of-the-sod ceremony was held.
Present at this simple but significant ceremony where Ministers of the Government, the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aviation veterans and officials, all representing the Guyanese interest; and Chinese Ambassador, Mr Zhang Li Min; China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC)’s General Manager, Mr. Zhong Dong Tong; Chinese Embassy officials, and other persons.
In brief remarks, Mr. Geer welcomed all to the sod-turning ceremony of the CJIA expansion project, and said that in March 1913, a German aviator flew an aircraft for the first time around Georgetown, thereby ushering in aviation into Guyana. Today, he continued, we celebrate 100 years of aviation in Guyana.
He noted that major steps have been made in development of the aviation sector, and suggested that Guyanese collectively applaud themselves on the achievement gained today.
He explained that from that first flight, there are now more than 4000 international flights yearly, ferrying some 600,000 passengers; and the control tower processes overland flights with over 10,000 persons employed directly or indirectly.
Growing industry
He mentioned the growing aviation industry and the massive development of facilities around the world to accommodate movement of tourists, passengers, goods and services to and from countries, and he said that Guyana has signed on to such a process.
Looking to triple its use in terms of passenger travel by 2013, the decision was taken by the Government and the responsible ministry to expand the CJIA facility, in keeping with the growing trend throughout the Caribbean in regard to airport infrastructure improvement; hence this major project which will improved passenger travel demand and also the expansion capacity.
He urged all Guyana to embrace this project for what it is worth, so everyone can benefit.
CHEC GM, Mr. Zhong Dong Tang, outlined his company’s profile and track record, and expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Guyana for having afforded that company opportunity to undertake the airport expansion project.
He explained that his company would be employing expert technology in this project as was done in the Middle East and in others parts of the world.
He mentioned the projects the CHEC had undertaken in Jamaica, where highways have been, and currently are being, constructed, and opined that Guyana stands to benefit from excellent Chinese technology.
Finally, he disclosed that Guyana stands to be placed on the development aviation map through this project, and he wished to congratulate the Government and people of Guyana in celebrating 100 years in aviation.
Historic occasion
CJIA Chairman, Ramesh Dookhoo, indicated that this expansion project was an historic occasion for all Guyana. He said that, as a youngster, he never thought he would have played the meaningful role he has been playing in this development process; and he congratulated those involved in making the project a reality, adding that completion of the project would transform Guyana.
Emphazing that a good airport brings good business to a country, and would put Guyana on the map of aviation development, Dookhoo stressed the point of the present situation in Guyana regarding expansion projects which are not studied properly, saying that too much negative comments on such projects cause major concern to all. He therefore urged that nobody should stand in the way of real development of our country.
Minister Benn, in his address, dealt with issues of information published in the Kaieteur News regarding the cost of expansion of the airport facility in St. Maarten, deeming the article destructive in comparing those figures to the Guyana situation.
He detailed the activities of the expansion works in that country against the works estimated for Guyana, and spoke harshly against the article published.
Speaking about the airport development, he noted the Ogle Regional Airport project and the plans to have the airstrip facility at Lethem improved to become a transit point for the Brazilians, Venezuelans and other South American countries.
In concluding his address, he mentioned that Guyana will not be left behind, as he outlined developmental projects in the pipeline, Ogle among others, in moving our aviation industry forward.
Ambassador HE Zhang Li Min, in his short address, indicated that China has been developing faster and faster, with construction among other services. He said that with diplomatic ties established between the two countries, Guyana stands to benefit from every cooperative partnership activity.
He noted that more and more Chinese companies have been coming to invest in Guyana, and said that Guyana and China have established an excellent working relationship.
Happy coincidence
President Donald Ramotar, in his feature address, recognized the happy coincidence of the celebration of the centenary of aviation in Guyana and the sod-turning of the CJIA expansion project.
He said that construction of a new, modern international airport and those who have contributed to development of aviation over the past 100 years is a fitting tribute to development in Guyana.
He mentioned that this construction would be done by a Chinese company as, evolving from colonialism, there was a lot of talk of south/south cooperation in development, but it failed. Today, he noted, the long-lasting diplomatic ties between the two counties have now evolved into better cooperation in the developmental environment, and such have seen over the years a number of partnerships and other developmental projects.
Speaking of Guyana, he said he feels it’s the most comfortable airport to land at, since it offers an environmentally-friendly atmosphere in terms of the green and other local tourism sites.
China, he said, has played a major part in Guyana’s development, culturally among others areas; and today we see the diversity of our people, as the Chinese who came over 160 years ago to contribute to the development of Guyana, have made their homes here.
Noting that the dependence on sugar, bauxite and rice once drove this economy, he said that when they collapsed a number of problems arose, and the quality of life of the Guyanese people suffered. This, he noted, is no longer the case, as the economic base has been broadened and Guyanese now rely on goods and services, products and other things.
Tourism is being boosted, as every region in the country has its own significant beauty. In his eyes, he said, Guyana is second to no country, and is superior to many in regard to development.
Concluding his address, he noted that Guyana’s natural geographic position has placed it in an advantageous position to construct a facility by which a number of countries and aviation services can benefit.
