PLANS to expand the Lethem aerodrome are taking shape as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) has approached the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental authorisation, a requirement for commencement of the project.
According to an EPA notice published in the Guyana Chronicle, the proposed upgrade of the aerodrome will improve the Georgetown-Lethem air transportation link.

“It (the project) may entail, but not be limited to activities such as rehabilitation and construction of a paved apron, visual aids, lighting system, construction of buildings/structure such as tower control, passenger arrival and departure terminals, rescue and fire-fighting services capacity, a security system, etc…” said the EPA.
It is, therefore, envisaged that the execution of those activities may have some degree of environmental impacts to the surrounding communities.

As such, in keeping with the EPA Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required for such a development before any decision to approve or reject the proposed project.

In that regard, the EPA has invited persons, within the next 28 days of the notice, to make written submissions to the agency, setting out questions and matters which they require to be answered or considered in the EIA.

In September, it was reported that the transformation of the Lethem aerodrome into a regional airport remains a priority for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government. This was according to Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson during the ceremonial signing of an agreement for the rehabilitation of the aerodrome.

The agreement was signed at the Takutu Hotel in Lethem, and the contract awarded to H. Nauth and Sons Limited on September 20, 2019 for $137. 3M.
Patterson said there are increasing calls for air transportation between Georgetown and Lethem, and northern Brazil and the Caribbean. This demand, he said: “is projected to grow exponentially, particularly with expansions in the gold mining sector and emerging oil and gas industry.”

“The Government of Guyana ultimately intends to upgrade the Lethem aerodrome to regional standards, which will also act as a hub in servicing this demand,” Minister Patterson stated.

He said that the rehabilitation of the Lethem aerodrome will significantly reduce the cost of doing business, and improve the quality of inter-regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had also said the government believes that the project is worthy, and is critical to the vast region.

He also noted that the transformation of the aerodrome will contribute to improving the standard of living in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).