Last updated on Tuesday, 22 December 2020, 21:13 by Denis Chabrol
The Ministry of Public Works announced on Tuesday the China Air Engineering Company (CHEC) that has reached an agreement with the Guyana government to repair Cheddi Jagan International Airport at its own cost of US $ 9 million.
“The Guyana Government is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Public Works has today entered into an Agreement with China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) for additional work by CHEC at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) up to approximately US $ 9 M alone cost of China Harbor Engineering Company, ”the government said in a statement.
According to the government, CHEC has agreed to complete all works by December 31, 2021.
This agreement comes after more than four years of controversy emanating from the Civic People’s Party (PPPC), while in opposition from 2015, criticizing the then David Granger administration for changing the specifications and the inherited cost. CHEC was also cited for delays, substandard work and equipment failure.
Since taking office in August, 2020, the administration led by Irfaan Ali has consistently been badgers to complete the work to original specifications and address all other deficiencies . “China Harbor Engineering Company has further agreed to rectify and complete all outstanding remedial work within specified timelines,” the government said. Under the signed agreement, CHEC has agreed to extend the airport’s residential corridor to accommodate two other passenger boarding bridges.
The Government said that would provide the Airport with a total of six boarding bridges capable of servicing aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Dreamliner, the AirBus and similar trans-Atlantic aircraft. In addition, the agreement would see the terminal building extended to accommodate additional commercial space such as food courts and duty-free shops. “The expanded building will include a modern airport facade covering the full length of the Exit Terminal,” the government said.
The Agreement was signed by a Permanent Secretary, Mr. Vladim Persaud, of the Ministry of Public Works on behalf of the government of Guyana and Mr. Liu Keliang, Project Manager for and on behalf of CHEC.