WITH the US$138M Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) modernisation programme progressing on schedule, President Donald Ramotar is optimistic that more airlines will soon be rapping on Guyana’s door, once there is adequate capacity to accommodate them.Referring to Panama-based Copa Airlines having already announced commencement of service to Guyana from July this year, President Ramotar noted that Guyana is already attracting increased foreign interest.
“These new airlines are coming in on what we have, it is not a question that they are waiting for the completion of the project…this gives you an indication that, with a better runway, Guyana can realise our potential,” he said.
CJIA Public Relations Officer Aneka Edwards said the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is continuing it works.
On January 4, 2014, Public Works and Transport Minister Robeson Benn, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir, other airport officials and CHEC engineers visited the sandpit CHEC uses to backfill the trial section.
Last December, the joint Opposition opposed release of a $65.4M allocation for the CJIA included in a Statement of Excess, a financial paper tabled by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.
Given that that the minister had acted in accordance with the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the Opposition’s non-approval post-expenditure did not affect the allocation.
The project faced similar opposition when the 2013 Budget was cut, but, in mid-September this year, Chairman of the CJIA Board, Mr Ramesh Dookhoo, said the modernisation project is being propelled by a US$20M mobilisation advance made under the 2012 Budget.
Under the CJIA Modernisation project, a new and modern terminal building will be constructed, with the runway extended to accommodate larger, wide-body planes. Government has signed with the Chinese contractor a design-and-build contract to the tune of US$138M, under which CHEC has 32 months to complete the project.
The project is being partially funded by a US$130M loan from China, with the rest coming from the public treasury.

(By Vanessa Narine)