Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Despite Budget cuts…Govt. moving ahead with CJIA expansion
– Opposition ready to take action
Government will continue with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion (CJIA) project despite the Opposition cutting the $6.5B allocated to that venture in the 2014 National Budget says Robeson Benn, Transport and Hydraulic Minister.
During an interview with this publication recently, Benn related that the project is running into delays from the confusion created last year when the allocation was also slashed by the combined Opposition.
Model of CJIA’s new terminal.
He said Government needs to move ahead or Guyana may lose the US$20.7M already invested in the project. In addition, Guyana stands to face further expenses if the project experiences more delays.
“If the contractor (China Harbour Engineering Company) with whom we have signed is forced to stop because of political uncertainty, interruptions… if there is a cancelation of contract we might be forced to pay the entire contract sum and or face severe penalties with respect to cancelation,” Benn said.
According to the Minister, if this transformative project does not become a reality, travel in and out of Guyana would be less efficient; and the opportunity for Guyana to become an international hub would not materialize.
“So it’s a critical project. I can’t envision in all of the discussions, disputes, arguments which would result in the halting of this project.”
According to Benn, the contractor has completed tests with respect to the construction of the 1,000metres of runway lengthening. In addition, all geotechnical, geological and other engineering evaluations have been completed.
And, a contract has been issued for the consulting engineers to provide oversight for the project. “We have just started stepping out in respect of completing the project,” he added.
However, Government’s intention to spend this unauthorized allocation from the Consolidated Fund may create fury in the National Assembly. In keeping with the Chief Justice’s ruling the Opposition Parties did not reduce allocations for specific budgeted items but disapproved allocations for the capital programme for transport.
According to Joseph Harmon, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU’s) Parliamentarian, it would not be easy this time around for Government to spend allocations that were not approved by the National Assembly on these projects.
In 2012, when the Opposition cut the National Budget, Government went ahead and spent the allocations from the Consolidated Fund. Government later submitted a Statement of Expense to the National Assembly to show the monies were spent and to seek approval. However, it was not approved by the National Assembly. Instead, a motion was moved in the National Assembly to take Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, to the Committee of Privileges.
Harmon said that having Dr. Singh before the Committee of Privileges is the next urgent matter Parliament will be dealing with. He emphasized that whosoever disobeys the National Assembly will be taken to the Committee of Privileges for contempt since Opposition Parliamentarians are not rubber stamps for people’s wrongdoings.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan is furious over Government’s intention. He contended, “This is almost criminal…If Government goes ahead with its plan this would be a breach of the constitution.”
Ramjattan does not want to anticipate the outcome of the Committee of Privileges but is adamant that the AFC would have to act radically if allocation cuts were restored.
He stressed that it would be illegal for Government to spend the monies. “Spending the monies would mean tearing the constitution apart and we would not tolerate it…These jagabats eyes pass the nation,” Ramjattan stressed.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
No conflict of interest exists
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Accusations of conflict of interest have a peculiar way of rising to the surface in Guyana.... more
Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal
Sir Ronald Sanders (Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS) By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News–... more
Weekend Cartoon
