Even as repairs are ongoing at the Paruima Airstrip in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) after defects were found following its April commissioning, residents of the area are at odds with the contractor over a gentleman’s agreement regarding the use of the community’s boat. There are also concerns regarding medical insurance for local workers.
In an interview with Stabroek News yesterday, community members said that the contractor, International Imports and Supplies had made a verbal agreement with the village, which allowed the contractor to lease a 15-horsepower outboard motor in exchange for use of the village’s boat. However, the boat has fallen into disrepair and the condition of the outboard motor has deteriorated to the point of being deemed worthless by the community. It appears that there was no provision for maintenance and repairs. According to residents, with no formal contract in place, the financial terms fluctuated unpredictably from month to month, complicating budget management and planning for the community.
Residents expressed their dismay at the situation, with many saying they felt that the lack of formal agreements is a disservice to the village. “We recognize the urgent need for written contracts to protect our interests,” one remarked.
“The lack of a written agreement means we have no security,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous, also emphasising the importance of representation for the workforce involved in the airstrip project. “We need clarity on the supply of human resources and assurance of our rights.”
Representatives from Paruima are reportedly in the capital, engaging with the contractor regarding outstanding payments owed to the village, as well as to workers. Community leaders hope that these negotiations will result in a framework that ensures fair compensation and supports the ongoing development of the airstrip.
With regard to that project, community members expressed concerns over the contractor’s testing methods on the airstrip, which involves two mixtures: a 50/50 blend of sand and stone across 20 kilometres, and an 80% stone and 20% sand mixture for another section. The aim, they explained, is for an engineer to evaluate which combination performs better once the full 40 kilometres of airstrip is completed.
Despite assurances that the airstrip will be finished within the next 60 days, by December, residents revealed that construction has faced significant delays over the past two months due to the contractors lacking the necessary machinery. A recent meeting with supervisors and council members highlighted ongoing challenges in sourcing essential materials like stone and laterite.
On June 3, 2024, the first plane landed on the new airstrip at 10:38 AM and got stuck, just weeks after the airstrip’s commissioning at a cost of over $397 million. A passenger recalled, “The landing was smooth initially, but the pilot veered close to the edge of the strip. As it was new, I didn’t think it would be a problem. We ended up unloading cargo and using a tractor to get it out. Contractors had warned that planes should land in the centre of the strip to avoid this.”
A week later, the same pilot returned and encountered the same issue. “Contractors downplayed it as minor and suggested only a small patch,” the resident noted. “The pilot, after two incidents, decided not to come back. Skilled pilots are crucial for Paruima, so his choice was understandable.”
The situation escalated a week later when a Trans Guyana plane also became stuck, marking the third incident. This incident gained significant attention when a video of the stranded plane went viral. “The video was key in highlighting the problem,” the resident explained. “Before it surfaced, there was little action taken. Contractors had advised us to keep quiet, but the leak prompted repair efforts.”
The resident expressed doubt that repairs would have been initiated quickly without the video. They also criticised the construction materials used, stating, “We provided samples of rocks and sand, but the contractors ignored our suggestions for better materials. Now they’re using the granite stone we recommended from the start.”
The airstrip’s condition has forced villagers to reroute through Kamarang, leading to increased transport costs. “Transporting goods through Kamarang is much more expensive,” a resident said. “We were hopeful the airstrip would simplify things, but now the added costs are burdensome.”
Concerns about the airstrip had been raised during the Toshao elections. “When I inspected it, it felt like jelly underfoot,” the resident recalled. “I advised against using it, but my concerns were dismissed. Temporary patches were applied, but the underlying issues remained.”
Currently, a Brazilian company is working alongside International Import and Supplies, to address these problems. “They were surprised to find they were fixing existing issues rather than building anew,” the resident added.
The Ministry of Public Works had acknowledged that the Paruima Airstrip, still within its Defects Liability Period, required repairs soon after its April 2024 commissioning. Minister Juan Edghill had attributed the problems to the rainy season, stating, “The contractor is responsible for addressing these defects.” He had said that there were ongoing discussions with the Toshao, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, and other stakeholders to resolve the issues despite challenges posed by the weather.
Edghill had stressed that repair costs would be covered by the contractor since the airstrip was still under warranty. The airstrip has been closed since July, with ongoing development aimed at addressing the issues. The ministry had said that the surface defects identified in June 2024 had been addressed, and plans were in place to assess the airstrip’s structural integrity.
