WITH a sum of $214M being allocated in the 2017 budget for the rehabilitation of several hinterland airstrips, Region 10 Councillor Gordan Callender is of the opinion that the Linden airstrip should have been given priority.Earlier in the year, Councillors were asked to make a proposal for the rehabilitation of the airport by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Officials of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure after recognising the potential of the airstrip dubbed it second to none and requested that a proposal be completed at the regional level.
Disappointment began to step in after reports in the media revealed that several hinterland airstrips were listed for rehabilitation in 2017, but Linden’s airstrip was not listed.
Some of these include airstrips at Eteringbang, Kurupung, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain.
Callender voicing his disappointment at a recently held statutory meeting stressed that the airstrip’s rehabilitation would benefit the mining town tremendously, especially its economy and as such should be prioritised.
Regional Chairman, Renis Morian said the airstrip’s rehabilitation would materialise though not in 2017. He posited that given the overcrowding which occurs at Ogle, the next frontier for small craft is Region 10.
“We’ve sent the concept with the airstrip note to the Ministry of infrastructure and we’re looking forward to seeing work done on the airstrip…. not only works done, but Lindeners being a part of the work force upgrading the airstrip. We would have taken engineers and they said that it’s the best they have seen… so we would like to see the airstrip up and running,” Morian said.
He also revealed that correspondences will be sent to the Aircraft Owners’ Association as it relates to the upgrading of the airstrip.
“We would like to carry them on a tour to view the airstrip, with the view that this airstrip will be working by Government in 2017,” he added.
The 5000-foot-long airstrip, which has a clearance of 300 feet, lies in the heart of the bauxite mining area of Linden, but has not been utilised for years. Given its capacity to accommodate international flights, even jets, the aim is not to only upgrade the airstrip but to develop it into a local airport.
This would be practical since Linden is the gateway to the interior regions. Many employees of international gold and timber companies are from Linden, and if the airstrip is developed, it would save them money, as they would no longer have to travel to Georgetown to be flown into the interior locations.
Other miners can access their areas of work easier than having to journey through the trail. Linden could become a hub for those frequenting the interior locations; and, like Bartica, the airstrip can possibly attract investors to the town, thereby improving commercial activities and reducing unemployment in the region.
Other enterprises such as shipping and beverage companies which have branches in Linden, can also benefit from the airstrip being operational.
The proposal highlights the need for the airstrip to be fenced, equipped with a hangar, adequate lighting, waiting area, toilet facilities, security, air bag and a taxi service. There was also a recommendation for a hotel to be constructed near the airstrip, for the convenience of passengers and crew members in cases of delay.
