PNCR calls for probe into defective Paruima airstrip

– urges tests to determine extent of deficiencies

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) over the weekend issued a call for a full examination of the recently constructed Paruima Airstrip in the Upper Mazaruni District, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), which was commissioned in April 2024 to the tune of $400 million.
This call was made after several deficiencies were reported on the structure shortly after its opening. The party highlighted that engineering tests must be done to determine the extent of deficiencies on the airstrip.

According to the PNCR, the current situation at the facility is unacceptable, noting that the runway deficiencies could have resulted in the loss of several lives.
Despite any accidents being recorded, this situation the party stated should not be taken lightly. It recommended that to enhance safety, the design and construction process for civil projects should incorporate checks and balances, quality assurance, and quality control.
Similarly, throughout the design process, design deliverables such as geotechnical reports, structural calculations, construction drawings, and specifications should be independently reviewed and approved.
This review, the PNC stated is crucial to the safety of Guyanese using newly constructed roads, bridges, and airports.
“No contractor should be allowed to perform work unsupervised. This supervision should ensure reinforcement bars are clean and placed as required by the drawings, that the concrete mix design is as per contract, and the concrete is placed and compacted as required. This process should also include routine compressive tests performed on concrete placed into the works, and if these tests fail, the contractor should be required, as per contract, to remove and replace the substandard concrete,” a release from the party stated.
The party contended that if these processes had been followed, there is no way the Paruima runway could have failed. The PNCR, nevertheless demands a full and transparent investigation into the Paruima airport fiasco.
The situation at the airport was first raised by leader of the Alliance for Change, Nigel Hughes who had reported that the facility was non-functional.
But in response on Friday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill refuted the claims reiterating that the airport was in full operation.
Edghill clarified that rehabilitation work on the Paruima Airstrip was completed on April 14, 2024, and the project site was handed over to the Ministry of Public Works on April 15.

He added that representatives of the ministry along with the contractor did a site visit on June 19, 2024 following reports from aircraft operators that the runway was in distress. During the inspection, several surface defects were highlighted and the contractor was given clear instructions to have these defects remedied within one week.
“To date, these defects have since been corrected and MoPW is currently executing plans to assess the structural integrity of the remainder of the runway structure to ensure conformity with design strength and correct any possible area of deficiency to avoid further inconvenience to aircraft operations. The Ministry would like to note that the current video circulating on social media platforms was taken before June 19, 2024,” Edghill stated in a release.
Additionally, he pointed out that due to the remoteness of the location and the logistical challenges in transporting equipment and materials to the site, smaller-sized equipment and locally available materials were most feasible for the rehabilitation of the airstrip.
“As it relates to the competency of the Contractor, Port Kaituma and Baramita Airstrips were both rehabilitated by the Contractor in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The surface type of these airstrips is double bituminous surface treatment, they are in very good condition and no defects have been observed to date.”