Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has announced that the rehabilitation of the Eteringbang airstrip will be concluded in July. This, he said in response to a query from this newspaper, was based on a commitment given by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Upgrading of the 2,100 feet laterite airstrip to concrete at a cost of $214.5 million began in September last year by the GDF in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works. Earlier, a contract was awarded in the sum of $500,000 to community members to clear the vegetation.
Once the work commenced, the airstrip, which is the main gateway to the Eteringbang community in Region Seven, was closed forcing residents to use the Cuyuni River to ferry basic necessities, including fuel, medicine and food into the area. Residents had complained of harassment from the Venezuela border patrol and gangs in the area whenever they used the river, which separates the two countries.
However, the Guyana Police Force, through its commander and the GDF have both stated on record that the area remains safe. Edghill opined that the story was being twisted by residents who did not get something they wanted.
“I think the issue is, and I don’t want to make it sound too contentious, it would have appeared that everyone who wanted something that did not get something in
Eteringbang, whenever they come to Georgetown, they give a different story. Especially when they have very susceptible media houses, who like to carry a sensationalised story,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, local pilots had long bemoaned the condition of the laterite airstrip and cited safety concerns during landings and takeoffs. According to some, after heavy rainfall, the runway became slippery posing a challenge to pilots at take-off and landing. Further, some portions of the runway had eroded.
In September last year, a Jags Aviation passenger aircraft ran off the airstrip upon landing and crashed into vegetation. However, neither the pilot nor the ten passengers on board were harmed.
