June 2022 is new completion date for additional works at CJIA

Additional works being done at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to realise the government’s vision of a modern port of entry is set to be completed by June 2022, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said on Thursday.

The works being done by China Habour Engineering Company (CHEC) include the construction of a “super-structure” to accommodate 20 new concession areas along with the corridor to accommodate two additional boarding bridges for type code D and E Aircraft.

“So all the works that are going on right now are the works we [the government] negotiated –  which the contractor is paying for; it has nothing to do with the contract we inherited and the new deadline set is June 2022,” Minister Edghill told the News Room.

Valued at approximately US$15 million, the works should have been completed earlier, however, the global shipping delay has pushed that deadline further.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Minister reported that the 71 critical items that needed to be fixed at the airport for its functionality and the over a thousand items on a master tracking list has been “substantially completed” to meet the December 31^st deadline set.

Just recently, the government earmarked some $420 million to facilitate the installation of a modern baggage handling system to add to the transformation of the CJIA into a regional transit hub.

For long, the airport expansion was snagged by issues, including those associated with a decision by the former APNU+AFC government to modify the design originally agreed to by the government and the company.

The PPP administration under President Donald Ramotar signed the contract with the company in 2011 and secured US$130 million financing from the Chinese the following year, allowing for the project to go ahead.

Since the return of the PPP to office, it insisted that the project be completed to specification and that all flaws be fixed.