As works are progressing on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) runway extension, so too are works on the homes for the 19 families who will be displaced.
One of the houses near completion
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) had previously stated that the affected residents will be relocated some 200 metres to the west of their current location. Construction on the identified plot of land has already begun and is expected to be completed this year.
The developed area will be equipped with roads and utilities such as electricity and water while the homes will become the legal properties of the residents. There are currently 57 house lots in the piece of area developed to relocate the residents.
However, during a visit to the site Friday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson pointed out to reporters the location where the new houses are being constructed. He noted that the residents will have basic amenities such as water and electricity, things some of them do not have currently.
Minister Patterson told reporters that two homes being constructed by Government are what the two families currently have. He explained that following discussions with the residents and with their agreement, officials from the Ministry of Finance’s Evaluation Department inspected the 19 homes and drew up dimensions based on what was observed.
“You will see, we will be replacing what you have – no enhancement, no devolution. Obviously, they had the option if they wanted to do the extra and make (wood houses) into concrete houses but we are replacing what you have existing. You are not making any profits, you not making any losses but they will now be legally on the lands,” the Minister stressed.
He noted that one of the commitments made with the residents were that those being relocated would get the bigger lots – 100×100 – while the others will have 50×100 lots: “It’s in acknowledgement that while they don’t have any legal standing here, we are working with them to have them relocate comfortably,” he remarked. (Vahnu Manickchand)
