Prime Minister Sam Hinds has defended the removal of illegal structures around the airport and he has said that the affected Timehri squatters will be “treated in accordance with well established norms of the administration”.
Hinds, performing the functions of President, made the statement on Saturday in the wake of criticism by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and others over the manner in which the structures had been demolished.
The statement noted that the administration of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri has enhanced security around the environs of the airport.
This initiative, he said, was undertaken due to the discovery of the hideouts of dangerous criminals in the neighbouring squatting area, the increasing number of illegal structures being erected in the area and the recent theft of airport equipment and their subsequent recovery from the homes of some squatters.
The statement also said that the illegal squatters pose major threats to the airport and its operations relative to international norms of aviation safety. And he said that if these steps are not taken, the airport risks being downgraded resulting in serious consequences for Guyana, Guyanese and sectors that depend on international air transport.
In response to recent criticisms from the AFC regarding the breaking down of the illegal structures, the statement that the government has impressive credentials in providing housing, controlling squatting and in regularising squatter settlements. Hinds added that the squatters will be treated in accordance with the normal policies of the administration.
