THE NEW airport terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) under the expansion project is expected to be larger than in the original plan and the final design for the project is expected to be completed by mid-year.This was disclosed on Tuesday evening when the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly perused and later green-lighted the estimates allocated for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in this year’s budget.

Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson was grilled by the Opposition on the money proposed for the CJIA Expansion project. Patterson informed from the outset that the sums allocated in this year’s budget, $4.5B includes several hidden costs which were not catered for. These included costs attached to the removal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) barracks, navigation equipment on the ground at the CJIA and other expenses.

Opposition MP, Odinga Lumumba questioned whether a baseline sum has been set as regards the project cost and Patterson noted that he has a mandate set by Cabinet and he noted that governance body does not impede upon the monies expended or allocated for the project. As regards the project’s final design, Patterson and Lumumba and former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill engaged each other on the subject. Edghill said that in the original design of the project, the terminal buildings are proposed for both sides and not one side of the runway as suggested by the current plans.

However, Patterson said that the plans did not deviate from the original plan. He explained that the design is a work in progress. “What we agreed to is the concept,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of the contractor to carry out such and return same to the MPI.

As the session continued, Lumumba queried whether the government is in agreement with the contractor Chinese company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) as regards the project’s final design, however Patterson explained that the final design is in progress and will be completed by mid-year.

He said that the new terminal proposed is expected to be bigger than in the original plan, adding that there are provisions for four gates to be installed at the terminal. However, two gates will be installed initially and Lumumba questioned whether it will be more cost effective to include the four gates in the current works. Patterson noted however, that the cost for the entire project at the moment did not cater for the additional expenses. In this year’s budget, Finance Minister, Winston Jordon announced that $5.2B has been set aside for the development of air services industry, and expansion of CJIA International Airport which is budgeted at $4B.

The project, which runs at a projected cost of US$150M, started under controversial circumstances under the previous administration. Last year, Minister Patterson met with CHEC officials to resolve a US$46 million contract dispute and under the terms of the original contract, the project was expected to cost US$138 million and an additional US$12 million from government. It is slated for completion in late 2017.