President inspects East Bank and CJIA Expansion projects
President Donald Ramotar along with Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and several engineers today visited and inspected works ongoing on the East Bank Demerara four –lane road, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.
The latter is expected to meet its deadline of August 2015 as works are scheduled to commence on several aspects of the building during the course of this year. The East Bank four-lane expansion has a June deadline.
President Donald Ramotar, Minister of Public Works,
Robeson Benn, Finance Minister, Dr .Ashni Singh and
several engineers at Little Diamond, East Bank
Demerara where workers are driving piles for the
construction of a bridge
President Ramotar inspected three segments of the East Bank road expansion at Mocha, Little Diamond and Diamond New Scheme, where works are in progress, and expressed satisfaction with the works thus far.
Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA), at the CJIA, President Ramotar stated that the new airport will bring Guyana up to world class standard, which is very important for the country.
President Donald Ramotar, Minister of Public Works,
Robeson Benn and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh
at the Diamond four-lane road where some level of
work has been completed
Meanwhile, Minister Benn explained that there were some delays with the East Bank expansion, due to several factors including inclement weather, supply of road material, and the removal of utilities. He noted that now that the weather has improved, works are progressing, and the latest completion date is June month-end.
President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Public Works,
Robeson Benn at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport
(CJIA) expansion project site
Meanwhile, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir said the airport expansion project is proceeding as planned, and the contractor is currently carrying out excavation work at the end of the runway.
Ghir further said that excavation and back filling works have started on a test section of 160m x 160m of the runway, which is about 10 percent of the runway extension and that in itself, is about 70% complete.
President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Public Works,
Robeson Benn testing the soil at the airport
“We anticipate that in a few months we will begin the designs for the terminal building and start construction works on that building,” Ghir said.
The US$150M project is funded by the Government of China through the Chinese Exim Bank. The expansion will cater for a new terminal building with eight boarding bridges, elevators and CCTV. The runway will be extended by 3,500 feet, and there will be eight international parking positions.