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$6.6B voted for CJIA expansion
With work ongoing on the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Budget 2014 has allocated a total of $6.6 billion for works on this project that has the potential to significantly boost the country’s development, especially tourism.
The relocation of the Guyana Defence Force’s engineering division at Timehri is targeted for completion to facilitate construction works on the new airport terminal building. The US$150M project is funded by the Government of China, through the Chinese Exim Bank.
The expansion will cater for a new terminal building with eight boarding bridges, elevators and CCTV. The runway will be extended by 3,500 feet and there will be eight international parking positions.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, during the Budget presentation on Monday, said that Government’s priority is to meet the growing demand for reliable and efficient airlift and riverain transport services to enable easy, safe and cost effective movement of people and goods.
Last year, $1.1 billion was expended on the expansion and modernisation of the CJIA.
During the 2013 budget debate, the opposition proposed cuts that exceeded the amount budgeted for the CJIA expansion project. After the flaw was exposed by Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, the opposition then voted against the entire $5.6B allocated to the transport sector, ignoring caution that such actions could hamper critical works like rehabilitation of hinterland and coastal airstrips, the purchase and installation of aviation equipment and the continued modernisation of the Ogle Airport.
Despite the Opposition’s stance, the CJIA Expansion and Modernisation Project is progressing smoothly, with work ongoing on the runway. When completed, the runway will be able to facilitate Boeing 747-400 type aircraft. (GINA)
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