KINGSTON - Government has granted its no-objection for the release of US$5.9 million to facilitate aspects of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion and Modernisation Project.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn said the US$5.9 million will facilitate the acquisition of supervision consultancy services for the expansion project.
Despite political opposition, the CJIA Expansion and Modernisation Project is progressing smoothly and is on target. Currently, work is ongoing on the runway. When completed, the runway will be able to facilitate Boeing 747-400 aircraft, expanding by 3500 feet to a final length of 10,500 feet.
In addition to extending the runway, a new terminal building measuring 16,000 square metres is incorporated into the design of the modernisation project. The terminal will be equipped with eight passenger boarding bridges, two elevators and CCTV and departures control systems.
The drafting of the final design for the terminal building has commenced. This is slated to be completed by March. The project also includes the erection of eight international parking positions, including a dedicated position for cargo aircraft. On October 31, 2012, Guyana and China signed an agreement for the facilitation of the US$130 million (RMB 825 million) loan from the Chinese Exim Bank to fund the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion and Modernisation Project.
Setback
However, during the consideration of the 2013 national budget in the National Assembly, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) used their one-seat majority to cut the entire $5.6 billion, which was set aside for the project. The cut was made despite pleas by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, which stated that the state-of-art facility, when completed would be able to facilitate a larger influx of passengers.
Meanwhile, Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira, who sat in the place of the head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon during the post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, said Cabinet also granted its no-objection for other projects ranging in the millions.
In the area of education, US$368,000 was approved for the design and supervision of civil works under the government of Guyana-World Bank funded Science and Technology Project at the University of Guyana.
Meanwhile, $19 million was released for the provision of a vehicle for the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) and $21.5 million for the provision of security services for the Agriculture Ministry’s head office and the Hydromet department.
Under the Local Government Ministry, $691.8 million has been approved for the rehabilitation of community miscellaneous roads in Regions Four and Six, while US$103,100 will be used for consultancy services for the revision of the national biodiversity strategy and action plan in preparation of the fifth national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
US$250,130 for the provision of consultancy services to conduct a study on Guyana’s tourism brand; $49.1 million for the rental of buildings to house offices to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); and $113.6 million for the construction of core houses in Regions Three, Five and 10 were among other projects approved by the Cabinet.
