19 homes to be relocated to make way for CJIA runway expansion

Dec 01, 2015 News

To facilitate the extension of Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) runway, 19 homes in Timehri North will be relocated, since they are in the direct path of the proposed site.

A section of the area where the 19 Timehri North residents will be relocated to. The area is currently under construction. (Ministry of Public Infrastructure photo).

This was according to a release by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) yesterday.
Minister David Patterson held two meetings with residents of the community on Sunday. In the first meeting, he met with residents directly affected by the airport expansion while, in the second meeting, he met with the general Timehri North community.
Patterson explained that the mass movement of everyone out of the area would “not be necessary”. Instead, he said, the homes directly in the path of the expected runway will be relocated within the same community.
“While he noted that the expansion heralded development for Guyana, Minister Patterson stressed that this development should not severely upturn the lives of Guyanese. He added that persons who would have dedicated their lives to the Timehri North community should not have to suffer,” the release stated.
The affected residents will be relocated some 200 metres to the west of their current locations. Construction on the identified plot of land has already begun and is expected to be completed in 2016. The developed area will be equipped with roads and utilities such as electricity and water while the homes will become the properties of the residents.
“This is the right thing to do… If you move someone from his home, you have to ensure that you give something back. In a few years, these will be prime properties. Right now, you might be in this situation and think yourself unlucky but in a few years that feeling will change,” Patterson was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, in second session with the Timehri North, Patterson interacted with the residents and shared plans underway for the community.
Amongst these plans were the regularisation of the community; inclusion of standpipes for improved water access; and the rehabilitation of the main road. He said too that there will be improved infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and electricity.
The release further related that whilst Patterson said that the Ministry will be working towards bettering the community, the residents must also do the same.
He reminded them that the ultimate aim is to see the community become registered and he therefore urged them to keep an eye out for squatters.