– Finance Minister
FINANCE Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has defended the Guyana Government’s contract for the rehabilitation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), noting that detractors continue to mislead the public with their narrow agenda, which is designed to undermine and tarnish the project. Notwithstanding, the transformative impact the project will have on the economy; the Finance Minister stated that the Opposition continues to discredit the project, and called on them to familiarise themselves with the facts.
“We have no difficulty answering any questions and providing documentation of the project. So instead of making insinuations, many of which are just to mislead the public, they should look at the benefits to be garnered, instead of opposing,” he posited.
The US$138M contract which was inked on November 11, 2011, once completed, will see a major expansion of the airport bringing it to international standards, by extending the runway and constructing new terminal buildings.  Passenger boarding bridges, elevators and CCTV systems will also be installed.
“It’s a major infrastructural project. The new terminal project will see the development of a commercial centre which will be accessed not only by incoming and outgoing passengers, but visitors to the facility. This will also create jobs for people and incomes beyond the construction aspect,” Dr. Singh added.
The facility, which will see an extension of the runway by 3,500 feet will enable larger aircraft to land safely.
“We are in fact in discussion with China on financing for the project and those discussions are advancing. It’s a project that sees the involvement of a major Chinese company that has a significant international footprint and has done work across the world,” Minister Singh assured.
The contract was signed between the government and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC).