CJIA modernisation project continues on schedule
Vanessa Narine, Tuesday, 17 December 2013, Source
THE US$138M Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) modernisation project continues on schedule, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir says.
This is despite the fact that the joint-Opposition, last Thursday opposed a $65.4M allocation included in a Statement of Excess, a financial paper tabled by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh.
Given that the minister acted in accordance with the Constitution and the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the opposition’s non-approval, post-expenditure, did not affect the allocation.
The project faced similar opposition when the 2013 budget was cut, but in mid-September this year, Chairman of the CJIA Board, Ramesh Dookhoo, said the modernisation project is being propelled by a US$20M mobilisation advance made under the 2012 budget.
To date, according to Ghir, the contractor is on site and excavation works are being executed at the end of the runway.
“Concurrently we are also reviewing the design for the terminal building,” he said.
The CEO added that the tender process, having recently concluded, is in the evaluation stage and the appointment of a consultant to work with the contractor is expected to be made soon.
He stated that there are no challenges being dealt with currently, maintaining that works are progressing smoothly.
Under the project, a new, modern terminal building would be constructed with the runway extended to accommodate larger, wide-body planes.
Government has signed a design and build contract to the tune of US$138M with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) which has 32 months to complete the project.
The project is being partially funded by a US$130M loan from China with the rest coming from the national treasury.
