The Ministry of Public Works is finalising plans for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and will meet squatters as soon as those plans are complete in order for their amicable relocation to a suitable area.
According to GINA, Minister Robeson Benn, at a press briefing yesterday, said government has been having dialogue with the squatters. He stated that some time ago it was noticed that persons were making additions to their buildings and they were advised against it, on the basis that they would have to move. The minister stated that the ministry sent out machinery to remove those additions, GINA said.
He noted that the US$150 million airport expansion plan is moving apace; funding has been approved for the project and the official signing of the documents is likely to take place within a fortnight.
In that regard, he noted that the relocation plan involved moving the people amicably, to a designated area “where they can come into ownership of land, build houses, have transports, go and get mortgages and stop living in this fashion, and at the same time to properly organise the expansion of our airport.”
GINA further quoted the minister as saying, “We have looked at a number of scenarios and are finalising some issues. It could be amicably done if reasonable approaches are taken.” He added that as soon as the plans are finalised, the ministry will meet the squatters to get their input and move ahead with the relocation.
According to GINA, Benn pointed out that three years ago four chicken farms from the southern side of the airport created issues with regard to bird strikes on aircraft. He explained that the discarded offal from these farms, as well as pig farms in the area, attracted birds which posed a risk to aircraft. “Three years ago we relocated those farms and they have been settled in areas where they could continue their activities,” GINA quoted him as saying.
On the claims that most of the squatters have been living in the area for all of their lives, Benn stated the figures and historical photographs from the ministry belied that.
He emphasised that many of the squatters were not farmers; some were occupied in jobs around the airport or in situations related to the airport itself, GINA said.
Government has approved a US$138 million design and construction contract with China Harbours Engineering Company for a project expected to include an extension of the airport runway to a total of 10,800 feet to accommodate large transatlantic aircraft such as the Boeing 747, along with construction of a new terminal building, acquisition of eight boarding bridges, and installation of other state of the art equipment such as elevators, escalators, and x-ray scanners using three-dimensional technology along with flight information and security monitoring systems, GINA said.
