Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, in providing an update on the Fairview airstrip project, said works were approximately 80 per cent completed.
Fairview is located along the Essequibo River in the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve. The airstrip is being extended to 4500 linear feet, to be able to accommodate most aircraft flying in from the Eugene F Correia International Airport except those on international flights, Patterson said.
“So you have all the Beechcrafts, Islanders and Trilanders and the airstrip will be sealed so we could use it both in the rainy and dry season,” he is quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying.
The Minister pointed out that all the works were being undertaken by members of the community. He added that the idea was to make Iwokrama a resort for tourists and to facilitate weekend trips. The airstrip was built in 2007.
Additionally, the Minister indicated that plans were underway to make the airstrip more eco-friendly. “We have to do more things: a surrounding roadway will be constructed so that the airstrip can be accessed from all sides. The airstrip has to be fenced and put up all the navigational aids, and in addition, we’ll be putting up a terminal building in the arrival building in keeping with the Iwokrama theme of eco-friendliness,” the Minister explained.
The Public Infrastructure Minister said the Ministry was working diligently to provide improved infrastructure across Guyana.
He added that the Natural Resources Ministry has been participating in completing the airstrip. “The Ministry of Natural Resources has donated solar lights to the community …and we’re doing other work together with the community. Massive bush clearing is part of the scope of works to be done on the airstrip to facilitate better take-off of aircraft.”
Public Infrastructure Ministry Senior Hinterland Engineer Naeem Mohamed told GINA that the airstrip was covered with vegetation and had to be cleared to facilitate better take-off of aircraft.
Kato, Paramakatoi, Baramita, Port Kaituma, Kamarang, Kaikan, Ekereku Bottom, Eterinbang, Bartica, Fairview, Surama, Karanambo, Annai, Lethem, Aishalton and Mahdia are some of the communities whose airstrips slated for upgrade across the four hinterland Regions – One, Seven, Eight, and Nine.
