Over $577M in contracts for new buildings, runway repairs at CJIA

… “Stay within project time and cost” – Minister warns contractors

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri is set to undergo additional works, for which three contracts amounting to in excess of $577 million were signed on Wednesday, and the contractors were given a stern warning to stick to the contract sums and the stipulated timelines so that the works would be completed on time.

One of the contracts signed was with Kallco Guyana Incorporated to the tune of $513.3 million, for the construction of a new building attached to the CJIA’s terminal building that will house a conference room, offices for the airlines, and the other support agencies such as ground handlers and law enforcement, as well as storage bonds for the duty-free shops and concessionaires.
Another contract signed was a $38 million contract with Colin Talbot Contracting Services for repairs to the international apron where the airplanes park, and runway Charlie.
The third contract, awarded to Kalitech Incorporated, is for the design of a new office building for the airport staff, which was in the sum of $25.9 million.
With a new administrative office building for the 280 CJIA employees in the works, the existing space being used by staff in the terminal building will be converted into commercial spaces to better improve the services for passengers and to give them more space.
These works are in addition to the ongoing CJIA Expansion and Modernisation project being conducted by China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC). Based on an addendum signed back in December 2020, CHEC is currently executing extension works to the terminal building by outfitting it with the commercial hub along with the installation of two additional boarding bridges.
These works are slated for completion by December 2021.
On this note, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill pointed out that there has to be a collaborative approach for the swift and efficient implementation of these three new projects that will be undertaken.
“This has to be a well-coordinated and well-implemented coordination, and we have to stay within project time and cost,” he stated.
Minister Edghill went on to outline, “I frown very seriously on contracts once signed, contractors coming back with excuses that they have to get variants and different sums and so on. Anybody who would’ve engaged me since I’ve been Minister know that’s not something I take very lightly, because once you bid, you should have studied carefully what you are seeking to do, and when you put a sum there and we have a signed contract for what you will do shortly, that we’re able to get that done within the frame that you have provided.”
The Public Works Minister also informed the contractors that his Ministry will be stringently monitoring the progress of their respective projects.
“We don’t sign contracts and sleep. I expect [by Thursday] morning work begins, and simultaneously, because of the fact that we want accelerated implementation, we have forged ahead to make sure that we have the supervisory part [in place],” Edghill indicated.

Set timeframes
Moreover, Chief Executive Officer of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, reminded the contractors that they would be working simultaneously as the airport operates on a daily basis, and as such, he too cautioned that the works, which will complement services offered there, must be done within the set timeframes, especially during this period.
“We are actually in peak season. The airport is very busy and these works would have to be timed in such manner that it doesn’t affect aircraft operation. The airlines would tell you that they make money when the aircraft is in the air, so the longer we delay them on the ground, this could cost them. So, we have to work closely with all those stakeholders to ensure that work is done on time and within the timeframes allotted,” Ghir explained.
Meanwhile, the contractors have given their commitment to have their respective projects completed within the contractual timeframe.
These works were budgeted for in the 2021 National Budget. Government had earmarked some $2.5 billion to further upgrade and modernise the CJIA, which is Guyana’s main port of entry.
Since assuming office, the President Irfaan Ali-led Administration has made the CJIA modernisation project a top priority, and has sought to bring the long-overdue project into conformity with the initial designs. This was after the APNU+AFC regime had substantially reduced the scope of the original contract.
As a result, the PPP/C Government brokered an agreement with CHEC in December last year to undertake $1.8 billion in works at the airport at no additional cost to Guyanese taxpayers. CHEC has further agreed to rectify and complete all outstanding remedial works within prescribed timelines.
Earlier this year, Edghill had urged the Chinese contractor to adhere to the timelines, so that the outstanding works could be completed by the end of this year. (G8)