- key hinterland airstrips stand to suffer

THE combined Opposition parliamentary parties on Thursday evening voted against the $6.5 billion which has been allocated under the Ministry of Public Works, for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

During the National Assembly’s consideration of the estimates for the Ministry, Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Nagamootoo stated that while the AFC supports hinterland airstrips, they did not support the CJIA Modernisation Project. Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn however, pointed out that in 2012 the project was approved.

The two Opposition parties (APNU and AFC) joined forces and voted against the $6.5B allocated to the project with a vote of 33 against and 32 for.

The vote against the project also affected the funding for other aviation services since they all fell under the same category. The sum of $185M for hinterland/coastal airstrips and $50M for civil aviation equipment were also listed in the transport sector of the estimates.

Meanwhile, when the consideration of the Ministry’s estimates started, questions came from A Partnership for National Unity’s MP, Joe Harmon on the subsidies to the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). Minister Benn responded that the subvention was largely for fuel, pointing to the two ferries, the Kanawan and Sabanto, which use a large amount. Harmon wondered if the vessels were assessed as to their capabilities with regard to the annual subvention provided. Minister Benn responded that the service by the vessels to the communities provide direct benefits to the economy at large. Harmon insisted that the two vessels almost consume the entire subvention regarding their needs for fuel, but the Minister disagreed.

Responding to questions on increased training, Minister Benn outlined the areas in which employees were trained, this included various technical areas. Minor questions also sought clarification on maintenance of buildings, purchase of vehicles, the number of employees and their skills, and salaries, street lighting in Region 10, urban roads and drainage and hinterland roads.

In the Public Works sector, questions addressed specific roads and whether they were listed for maintenance. Minister Benn explained that only declared public roads were on the Ministry’s list for attention and he pointed to another section of the Ministry’s programme under which the particular roads in question were listed.

Nagamootoo targeted the Amaila Falls access road which he claimed had been bundled with the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) and other items. He expressed the AFC’s support for the programme under the project, with the exception of the Amaila Falls access road.

Minister Benn pointed out that all capital projects are placed together and the term ‘bundling’ was unfortunate. He added that without the Amaila access road to the dam site, the nation would suffer.

Harmon questioned the allocations to the DHB and wanted to know if daily funds were included. Answering in the negative, Minister Benn also spoke of areas where engineers are examining. Harmon also pointed out that nothing was set aside for floating ramps, but the Minister indicated that the financing falls under the Maritime Administration.

Referring to public roads, Minister Benn told Harmon that declared public roads extend to the interior, following which Harmon then focused on contracts for the building of the Corentyne/Suriname Bridge, to which Minister Benn explained that it will be built by the neighbouring country which will not be on Guyana’s territory.

On a point of clarity, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett explained that there was a draft treaty which was never signed and the Joint Border Commission was at work. She pointed out that while Guyana would have no part in the actual building of the bridge, the approaches would have to be built and would not be done without contracts.

Under the transport allocations, Harmon was told that regarding maintenance, the allocation targeted 46 airstrips in the various regions.

On the issue of institutional strengthening, the APNU MP questioned the item which referred to training, and was informed it was for current personnel employed by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

APNU’s MP, Annette Ferguson asked for a progress report on 2013 works and what is planned for 2014. Minister Benn responded that the report would be provided.

However, when the Speaker proposed the vote for the programme, in a bid to disapprove $1.3B funding for the Amaila Falls Access Road, APNU MPs voted against, whilst the seven AFC MPs abstained. The funding was approved in the end with 32 votes in its favour from the government benches, 27 against with 7 abstentions.

(GINA)