Deadline for CJIA expansion works extended to June
-shipping issues to be blamed
The revised deadline for the completion of the new works to upgrade the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is now mid-year, an extension of six months to the previous December 31, 2021 schedule.
Works yet to be completed include the construction of a curtain wall, corridors for two boarding bridges and a superstructure. The works which are being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is funded by that company to the tune of $1.8 billion.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, during a press conference on Monday, said the delay in the completion of the project was beyond the control of both government and contractor.
“That was largely because of shipping issues. Most of the components that are coming to facilitate those works are coming out of China and they have had tremendous shipping issues. We have a revised deadline of June 2022,” the Minister explained.
Additionally, the minister disclosed that the two boarding bridges which cost $400 million are being funded by government due to poor negotiation by the previous administration. Total Solutions was awarded the contract in September.
“The airbridges are being funded by the Government of Guyana and that is as a result of the agreement made with the APNU/AFC, when they ended up with two airbridges and then we had to get a supplementary from the Parliament, Government of Guyana, to buy the other two.”
“So, while we’re getting the Chinese to put in the corridor, the other two make six that’s funded by the Government of Guyana. And the contracts for those have been awarded already,” Edghill said.
CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir said the work being executed by CHEC is 54 per cent completed.
As it relates to the recently signed contract of $513.7 million for the construction of an office building, those works are just about six per cent completed. The contractor for that project is Kallco Guyana Incorporated. The building will be joined to the existing Terminal building and will house a conference room, offices for airlines and other supporting agencies, along with a duty-free bond.