Timehri residents will no longer have to move for runway extension – Patterson

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson today said that the thousands of persons from Timehri North, which the previous administration wanted to displace, will no longer have to move to facilitate the expansion of the airport runway, GINA reported.
Speaking at a press conference at his Kingston office, he said “We (Government) have a moral and social responsibility to those people and as such, no more than twelve to fifteen persons may have to be relocated,” the minister said, adding, “If need be, we will have to relocate no more than twelve to fifteen persons. However, if they are to be relocated, they will be accommodated approximately one mile away…this is to ensure that they do not lose their roots with the community…their children can remain in the same schools”.
Patterson said that the relocation costs would be borne by the contracting firm China Harbour Engineering Corporation.
GINA said that he added that Cabinet has provided provisional approval for the continuation of the Cheddi Jagan Airport Expansion Project under new financial arrangements. “Government held a week long discussion on the project. It was reduced by more than half. It is now capped and cannot exceed US$23.6M, this cap includes all claims to date,” Patterson said.
GINA said that the provisional approval caters for the expansion of the runway to thirty five thousand feet (35000); expansion and renovation of the terminal buildings; the relocation of services (which include the construction of a mini-mall which will see the vendors being given first preference to occupy spaces, followed by those who express an interest) and navigational aid.