Chairman of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) Board Ramesh Dookhoo is leading an appeal for the restoration of the budgetary allocation for the expansion of the airport, as stakeholders warn that the opposition’s decision to cut funding will result in loss of investor confidence and jeopardise both security and businesses at the facility.
Reacting to the cuts on Tuesday night of over $5.63 billion to the air transport sector—including for the CJIA expansion—the airport’s Board along with stakeholders with an interest in the airport yesterday called on the opposition to rethink its position on the funding.
After typos in the AFC and APNU motions to cut the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Modernisation Project blocked their application, the combined opposition voted to cut the entire allocation for the air transport programme from the estimates for the Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics.
With non-contentious expenditure for the Ogle Aerodrome assistance, CJIA cooperation, Civil Aviation equipment and Hinterland/Coastal Airstrips projects also affected by the cut, APNU has since invited the government to bring the funding for these projects back to the National Assembly for consideration as soon as it is possible by way of a supplementary provision.
At a press conference held at the Georgetown Club yesterday, Dookhoo said that he will be meeting the Leader of the Opposition David Granger on the cuts, with a view to achieving their reversal in light of the clear and present dangers those cuts spell for the airport and the related companies that operate there.
Dookhoo said that because of the cuts, it may be very difficult to recover the mobilisation advance of US$20.7 million, since the contractor already commenced work on the project.
He said too that there is the possible compensation to contractor China Harbour Engineering Inc. (CHEC) for cancellation of contract and the possible compensation to China Exim Bank for cancellation of loan agreement.
He said that the cuts could result in loss of potential airline business, “since in some instances the decision to fly this route is predicated on the airport expansion project.”
Also speaking at the press conference, James Singh, the head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), said that security is an important aspect of the CJIA and if the development does not go ahead, then it will fall prey to the emerging threats.
He said that it is important that security is enhanced and that the facility is upgraded to be more security-friendly. He said that the cuts will negatively impact not only the image of the airport but also law enforcement.
Ulric Ceres, of Amerijet Air Cargo Service, said that the US authorities will soon demand 100 percent examination of exported air cargo from Guyana. He said that while Guyana has been given time to get the screening paraphernalia in place, the grace period will come to an end by the end of the year or early next year. He said that the cut to the airport funding may jeopardise revenue that Guyana would have earned from air cargo exports.
Carl Stuart, Chairman of Caribbean Airlines, said that the present facility has weathered its best days and that a new terminal and runway will bring in greater traffic. He said that pilots will have greater opportunities and options in terms of making critical decisions about landings, among other things. “We want to address the issues of persons getting sick at the airport,” he added, while pointing to the need for improved facilities.
Maurice Gajadhar, of New Timehri Handling Services, also said that Guyana must not be left behind.
He also questioned why the opposition approved $4 billion in last year’s budget but decided against this year’s allocation for the project. He made the point that the almost 1,000 workers at the airport are “cramped for space.”
Sasha Persaud, a manager at Roraima Airways, said that her company has had to turn away business for lack of space and such business went to either Suriname or Trinidad.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works Balraj Balram said that the ministry will be advised by government what the next move will be in light of the cuts.
