CJIA runway stable – Min. Patterson sets the record straight

― in a Facebook post, the minister wrote “During the heavy downpour (110mm – 4”), a public-spirited citizen, took a video standing 50 metres below and 200 metres away from the runway, showing water running down the side of the sandbank.”

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, April 27, 2019

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, put to rest claims that a portion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway was washed away due to a heavy downpour.

Minister Patterson took to Facebook and in a post on Friday explained just how the video and claims came about.

“During the heavy downpour (110mm – 4”), a public-spirited citizen, took a video standing 50 metres below and 200 metres away from the runway, showing water running down the side of the sandbank.”

The minister posted a photograph of the location where the video was reportedly taken and offered a proper explanation for what was seen in the video.

“For general reference, the brown “stuff” over the sand is earth, placed there to allow for grass to grow to help “hold” the sand in the future. Mostly likely drainage channels will also be included,” Minister Patterson wrote.

According to the minister, it was this video that malicious individuals took and paraded around claiming the absolute worst without first verifying just what was happening in the video, opting to spread panic by making bold claims that the runway was washing away.

Nikosi Bruce.

Image: Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.