-an increase of over three-fold over last year

* 500% increase in allocations for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)
* 243% increase in allocation for the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips

* $773.9 million budgeted for dredging equipment, ferry vessels, and spares and rehabilitation of stellings.

The allocation of $231.1 M for the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips this year represents more than three times the amount allocated last year.
The sum represents   a 243% increase on the $67.2 million allocated and spent in 2013 and is indicative of the government’s continuing commitment towards bridging the spatial divide between the populated coastal areas and the natural resource-rich hinterland communities, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said during his presentation of the national budget Monday last.
He also disclosed that $6.6 billion dollars have been budgeted to facilitate construction works on the new airport terminal building for the CJIA up by some 500% from the $1.1 billion allocated and spent last year.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) engineering division at Timehri will be relocated to facilitate the expansion of the CJIA.
River transport will be upgraded via the allocation of $773.9 million for dredging equipment, ferry vessels, spares, and for the rehabilitation of stellings.
Dr Singh had revealed that in 2013, a total of $1.1 billion was expended on the expansion and modernisation of the CJIA ; $67.2 million  was disbursed for the maintenance of hinterland airstrips, and $80 million was spent to procure an Automated Dependent Surveillance Broadcast to bring the precision and reliability of satellite based surveillance to the  national airspace.
The sum of $682.6 million was spent for the docking of several ferry vessels, the acquisition of spares, and the rehabilitation of stellings.
He said that the allocations past and present are necessary to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient airlift and riverine transport services.

(Clifford Stanley)