CABINET, last Tuesday, granted its no objection to a contract worth close to US$6M for the provision of supervisory consultancy services for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira made the announcement at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President in Georgetown, while filling in for Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon.

The massive modernisation project at CJIA, Timehri is moving apace on schedule, Chief Executive Officer of the airport, Ramesh Ghir, said recently. Work has commenced on the final design of the terminal building, and is expected to be completed in March.

Between now and then, four stakeholder meetings are scheduled to discuss the designs.

According to Ghir, to date, over 4,500 truckloads of sand have been dumped in the excavated area as works progress on the extension of the runway. The excavation and backfilling commenced on a test section of 160 metres by 160 metres, which was aimed at ensuring that the correct design techniques are adopted for the entire runway extension.

The project features three components: construction of a new terminal building measuring 16,000 square metres, which will have eight passenger boarding bridges and two elevators, as well as closed circuit television (CCTV) and departures control systems; extension of the main runway by 3,500 feet to a final length of 10,500 feet, which will increase CJIA’s capacity to facilitate the landing of Boeing 747-400 aircraft; and construction of eight international parking positions.

A draft relocation plan has been prepared, and a meeting was held to address the way forward with those who would be affected. There are, presently, no major challenges being dealt with, and works are progressing smoothly, Ghir informed.

President Donald Ramotar recently declared that modernisation works have the potential to attract more airlines, once Guyana’s capacity to accommodate them is improved.

Alluding to the fact that the Panama-based Copa Airlines has already announced the commencement of its service to Guyana in July this year, the Head of State noted that Guyana is already attracting increased foreign interest.

Meanwhile, the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is continuing its works.

The joint Parliamentary Opposition, last December, opposed a $65.4M allocation in a Statement of Excess financial paper tabled by Finance Minister Ashni Singh.
However, given that the minister acted in accordance with the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the Opposition’s non-approval had no effect.
The project faced a similar challenge when the 2013 Budget was cut, but in mid-September this year, CJIA Board Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, said the modernising programme is being propelled by a US$20M mobilisation advance made under the 2012 Budget.

Government has signed a design-and-build contract to the tune of US$138M with the Chinese contractor, CHEC, which has 32 months to complete the job. It is being partially funded by a US$130M loan from China, with the rest coming from the local public treasury, and is scheduled for completion in August 2015.
Written By Telesha Ramnarine