No more extensions, excuses will be accepted — Edghill 

CJIA expansion
With the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project still to be completed almost two years after its deadline, the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration is working to ensure that there will be no more excuses by the contractor to complete the project.
This was related by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

The project got underway in 2012 under the previous PPP/C regime when Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was to contribute some US$12 million. The US$150 million project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
When A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) got into power in 2015, it significantly altered and downgraded the design.
Since then the coalition had faced questions over the project’s costs and delayed construction. The project was initially supposed to have been completed within 32 months but several extensions were given, with the last being on December 31, 2018 – nearly two years ago. By the time the coalition left office, the contractor was paying penalty for the delays.
But according to Minister Edghill, the project is very troubled. He noted that the extensions to the runway are incomplete, with works still ongoing at both ends. He added that the terminal building that was renovated has significant defects including a leaking roof, improper titling and problems with the air conditioning and lighting, among others.
However, he pointed out that the most significant defect is the issue regarding the airbridges. The initial design presented by the PPP had eight airbridges but this was reduced by the coalition Government to just two. Two others were subsequently added after monies were obtained from the National Assembly. But Edghill noted that none of these is currently working.
“So as we sit here today the airport which was supposed to be modernised, allowing during the time of rainfall or other weather patterns that would affect passengers for their safety, they’re still having to walk on the tarmac,” he posited.
The Public Works Minister went on to say that the project engineer has indicated that they have been trying to get the Chinese contractor to comply with terms and conditions of the contract and deliver what was signed on to.
“Currently, almost two years after the project was supposed to be completed, there is no significant work done by the contractor to comply and to complete this project… We are in a period of liquidating damages with over 700 days that have elapsed and I don’t even think there is sufficient money in the remaining contract, based on calculations, to really benefit from liquidated damages,” he noted.
According to Minister Edghill, he will soon be engaging the contractor on the way forward.
In the meantime, based on briefings he has had since being appointed Minister two weeks ago, Edghill disclosed that he has been working to ensure that all “obstacles and hindrances” are removed so that the contractor will have no more excuses for delays.
In fact, only Tuesday he had to engage Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, on the matter. He outlined that CHEC had performed so badly that GRA had stopped granting duty concessions to it for bringing in building materials and was even exploring the possibility of garnishment because of what the contractor had owed the Commission.
“But because of us wanting to get on with the work, I engaged Mr Statia, who has responded favourably to my intervention, and we are seeking to clear the obstacles and the hurdles to ensure that the contractor is not going [to] use that as an excuse so that when the instructions are given there must be no excuse. I’m going to be very strong and straight with this. This project has gone wrong,” Edghill contended.
He further posited that in addition to the contractor not fulfilling his obligations, the APNU/AFC Government did not provide the necessary policy guidelines to the technical team to ensure compliance with the contract.
Nevertheless, the Public Works Minister said that the public will hear more about the project as they delve further into it to ascertain what transpired from 2015 to 2020, and work on the way forward. However, he asserted that there will be no more extensions.
“They should have finished since 31st December 2018. I am in no mode of extending timelines. We are in liquidating damages period of almost 700-plus days so we got problems and what we’re seeking to do is to ensure delivery…”
“The Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration is committed towards the completion of the modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and every effort is being made to ensure that the contractor complies and all that needs to be done will be done to ensure that we have a product that the Guyanese people can surely benefit from,” Minister Edghill insisted. (G8)