The sod was turned yesterday for the construction of a $1.2 billion permanent headquarters for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and China has been hinted as a possible source of funding for the project.
Speaking at the sod turning, Director General of the GCAA Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field said that the agency is looking to commence construction before yearend. The aviation regulator has over the years been forced to move to different locations to execute its mandate.
The new headquarters, which is anticipated to be an energy efficient building, will utilise wind and solar energy and will be constructed on 10 acres of land at Stadium Road, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The planned four-storey edifice would be capable of housing more facilities than the current building, with adequate parking space. A section of the GCAA’s training school is also to be located on the premises. The estimated cost is pegged at $1.2 billion dollars and the duration of the construction is expected to last between a year and 18 months.