The Ministry of Public Works’s Special Project Unit will build the new airstrip at Matthews Ridge, Region One, at an approximate cost of $800 million and residents of the community will be hired during the process.
This was clarified to the Sunday Stabroek by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill following a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the residents of Matthews Ridge would be building the airstrip.
Edghill told this newspaper on Friday that the ministry’s Special Project Unit will be building the airstrip and residents will be hired at different levels, both skilled and unskilled.
“The Ministry of Public Works, Special Project Unit, would be building the airstrip. It’s not a contractor and we will hire the residents at different levels, skilled and unskilled to get the work done.”
The announcement was made by Edghill during an outreach in Region One last Saturday where he highlighted that residents will be hired to help build the airstrip as a part of the government’s strategy to ensure communities benefit directly from infrastructural projects.
He remarked that the initiative, estimated to cost some $800 million, reflects the administration’s commitment to fostering economic growth in hinterland communities.
“The president and the cabinet felt that since it is a major project, whatever we do must bring significant and direct benefits to the people of the community, rather than giving it to a contractor who may bring his workers from wherever and the money does not circulate in your community,” Edghill told the gathering, according to DPI.
The upgraded airstrip will replace the deteriorating DBSD [double bituminous surface treatment] surface with a climate-resilient structure, featuring a six-inch-thick concrete pavement.
When completed, the airstrip will measure 4,000 feet in length and 80 feet in width, making it suitable for larger aircraft such as the Beechcraft.
Edghill said that the airstrip’s ability to accommodate larger planes will lead to the reduction of airfares.
“The bigger the plane, the more people it can carry, which could help manage the fares and also bring in more cargo.”
The minister pointed out similar community-driven projects in several villages in the region, including a kilometre-long concrete road in Whitewater, and an upcoming 1.2-kilometre road in Waramuri.
