CJIA upgrades: Admin building delayed, commercial center for December completion

As works continue to upgrade the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill has revealed that the construction of the Administration building has been delayed but works on the Commercial Centre is significantly advanced and is due for completion this year-end.
The new administration building which is constructed by Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Incorporated to the tune of $890 million will house over 300 airport staff when complete.

In a telephone interview with this publication on Wednesday, Edghill disclosed that the contractor was served with two performance letters and engaged by the relevant personnel overseeing the project’s completion about being significantly behind schedule.
He explained that while Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal has not surpassed the stipulated deadline for works, the Ministry did implore that they put systems in place to address the delay so as to ensure the building is delivered in a timely manner.
“The admin building is behind because the contractor has not put enough resources to get the work done in an expeditious manner. We have met with him and said, look, you said that you have these facilities available to you to get the work done within a particular time frame. And it’s the methodology that is being used. It’s a four-story building. And the methodology, I think, was not optimal and the amount of persons there. But we are moving now,” Edghill disclosed.
With regards to the $874 million Commercial Centre being built by PD Contracting, Edghill has expressed satisfaction with the works completed thus far.
He noted that the facility will play a crucial role in enhancing visitors’ experiences from the level of air travel, among others.
“By December 31st, sections of that commercial building should be habitable and usable for the public. In that commercial center, it’s where we’re building out new concessions for both airside and landside. We’ve had a number of challenges, but a lot is being done. By December 31st, sections of that commercial building should be habitable and usable for the public. In that commercial center, it’s where we’re building out new concessions for both airside and landside. There’ll be a new VIP launch, a business launch, an executive launch. It is outfitted with escalators and elevators to allow passengers to access easily, as well as those who are differently abled. And that, you will recall, was one of the things that the government of Guyana, or I should say the PPPC government, was able to get from the Chinese to put up this superstructure,” the Public Works Minister shared.
Meanwhile, works on the airline offices complex are halt given that Trinidadian company Kalco Guyana Incorporated request that its contract be terminated.
This is the second project the company has stalled due to its inability to fast-track works and adhere to deadlines.

Edghill explained that works will recommence soon with a new contractor, who will be reviewed thoroughly by his ministry’s Engineering department.
“But basically, if a contractor is on a site and they are unable to perform, we have to do two things. Work with them to get nominated subcontractors who could assist. You could have several people doing things simultaneously which would expedite the time. In this case, Calco has to be excused from the project because they were not able to do it. We wound our engagement up with them. And now we are putting together a list of contractors with capacity who is known to have done work of a similar nature in a restricted tendering process to be able to get them swiftly engaged,” he added.
The contract for the airport expansion project was initially signed in 2011, during Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s tenure as president, with China Harbour and Engineering Corporation (CHEC).
The then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration acquired a US$138 million loan from the China Exim Bank and used US$12 million from the Consolidated Fund (taxpayers’ money) for the total project cost of US$150 million.
However, upon assuming office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government altered the proposed expansion project.
Upon resumption of office in 2020, the PPP/C Government reverted to the old proposal and included some new amenities.