$69 MILLION Bemichi airstrip completed
― larger aircraft can now take off
DPI, Guyana, Friday, March 29, 2019
The newly constructed $69 Million Bemichi Airstrip located in Morua, Region One has been completed. The 2300 feet long and 50 feet wide runway now has the capacity to take off bigger aircraft and has significantly reduced the time it takes to get to Moruca.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, who on Thursday inspected the works done on the runway, explained that the ministry will soon be installing solar lights and signs for safety purposes.
“This is a great investment I hope that you will make full use of it…the airstrip is there for your use, ensure it is used correctly…you have to police it, we cannot do that for you,” Minister Patterson told the Santa Rosa Village Council.
Of concern to the minister was the fact that persons were traversing on the sides of the runway. He explained that driving vehicles on the runway especially during the wet season can undermine the airstrip and damage it.
Minister Patterson advised the council to construct a small picket fence to ensure vehicles are prevented from getting too close to the runway. He also noted that the council has the powers to make their own rules in this regard.
Pilot and Director of Operations at Roraima Airways, Learie Barclay said that the Bimichi landing field is the envy of all the other runways in the hinterland communities. Barclay was the pilot that flew the Trislander aircraft that took the team into Moruca on Thursday. “We are flying a Trislander plane with a capacity of 18 persons and we can take off fully loaded from that airstrip. This translates to shorter travel time and cheaper rates,” Barclay added.
This new and modern airstrip and the $110 Million Moruca Bridge under construction linking Kumaka and San Jose, will both be commissioned within three weeks.
In 2018, the government allocated the sum of $118Million for the construction of the Chi Chi West airstrip, in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region 7. In 2017, major rehabilitation works were done on the Kurupung, Baramita, Kopinang, Ekereku Bottom, Annai Kaikan, Paramakatoi, Kato and Eteringbang airstrips.
There are 51 licensed government operated airstrips in Guyana. Of the 51 airstrips, 47 are maintained by the Aerodrome Department of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, while the remaining four are maintained by villagers. Regular inspections are conducted by the Aerodrome Department to ensure there is compliance with GCAA regulations.
Synieka Thorne
Image: Kawise Wishart