Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar says that when the governing PPP/C took over the multibillion-dollar Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion/Modernization Project in August 2020, it found 1500 defects. These problems were a direct result of corruption, he said in response to accusations levelled by Opposition Members of Parliament that the PPP/C government is a “corrupt cabal”.
“That project is ripe with corruption. We found 1,500 defects when we picked up that project – it wasn’t moving. We are modernizing that airport and that will ease the travelers who are coming in and when they’re going out. That spending is directly benefitting people – Guyanese people and those who come to our shores,” he said.
The government has earmarked some $927M for works at the country premiere port, which has been under renovations for almost a decade. Billions of dollars have already been spent on the facility.
Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said last week when he presented the 2022 budget, that the government is paying keen emphasis on modernising the facility to fully comply with air transport standards required for a world class international port of entry.
He announced that the proposed works include the rehabilitation of the international apron and the construction of a taxiway; construction of an administrative building with conferencing facilities; offices for the airlines and other supporting agencies; a duty-free bond; and the construction of a new office complex to accommodate CJIA’s staffers.
Additionally, $600 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation and maintenance of hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Karisparu, Paruima and Ekereku Bottom. The interventions to be undertaken on the airstrips earmarked for this year are intended to make them compliant with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)’s minimum engineering standards. Moreover, this will improve the safety for travellers, aircraft and personnel using the airstrips.
