By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] –Citizens residing in Timehri North, East Bank Demerara are angry at the current administration which they say continues to threaten their livelihood and intimidate them as it pushes ahead with the expansion of Guyana’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
During a visit to the area on Tuesday, December 16, residents showed iNews acres of flattened farmlands upon which they once cultivated fruits and vegetables that they sold to maintain themselves and families.
Residents say they continue to receive notices informing them of the need to relocate, which they believe is an intimidation tactic since word in the community is that the design of the project has been altered.
However, lands that are inhabited have not been affected just yet. The residents, who have always voiced their disagreement with relocating, say they are now unsure of the government’s position on the project which has been marred by various problems.
“You cannot continue to be slapped and laughing,” Shadow Minister with responsibility for infrastructure Joseph Harmon told residents during a visit to the area on Tuesday.
He called on the government to make a clear and definitive statement on the status of project.
“Let them [residents] know whether there has been a change to the design and tell the people who live here whether they will still need to be removed,” he urged Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn.
Harmon said too, “How can you bulldoze homes and remove hundreds of residents who have been living here even before the airport got the lease for this land and tell them you have to remove them, whether you’re confirming to the United Nations standards for the relocation of citizens… this is not a fly by night community, it is a well-established community with roads, lights and water.”
While he believes there is the need for a bigger airport, Harmon said the concerns of residents must be given priority and ensure the country gets value for money.
He noted that slackness, poor negotiation and execution has negatively affected the project which will see an additional US$20 million of taxpayers’ money likely to be utilized while the US$138 million promised by the Chinese are yet to be released.
He said it was important to “separate fact from fiction” and expose the real reason behind the perceived failing project.
The Shadow Minister reminded that prior to the 2011 general elections, the current government had signed a contract for extension of the airport which the Chinese had promised to provide the loan through the China Exim Bank.
“The project should have been completed in 32 months and by now we should have been looking at a brand new facility but like the PPP nothing goes,” he added as he dismissed the notion that the funds which were disapproved by the Opposition in the National Assembly were responsible for any setbacks experienced.
Harmon says if answers are not provided and with elections looming; the project will be subject to review under an APNU government. He explained that the APNU will scrap the project if the need arises but if it proves to be worthy, then it will be continued.
Harmon said Benn needs to let the country know exactly where the project stands and what will happen to those who reside in the area.
Hammond boi you like you enough too much as a politician you look like you want a bigger airport. If the moutars like you wasnt running and protesting the 32 months project woulda finish , If Guyana want to fit in the development grid it must have something and if you cant fit in deh you aint get anything. Hammond why Trinidad can say they ah little america among caricom is because them people serious boy them support projects that would help life country image, you ever cast a concrete post in you life you can say the cost and labour involve? well think abt it and then look at a big building, think abt geography we nah deh hard like rock like some country you airport sit on sandy soil mistah. Guyana deh as a bridge between the caribbean and South America plus you have to think production wise yuh country is 60 % agriculture so if you start produce more it will not be wise for bigger air cargo vessel tooo.
Hammond all them people that walking with you guess whey them does buy fruits and vegetables and fruits pun is Bourda Market mistah, but just like me if me mek me lil ights deh me aint want to move.
Boy relocate and gave them good settlement and lets move on with the airport development beacuse when APNU/AFC MPs family them come back fuh holiday them nah go get wet if rain fall plus dem guh see brightlights rather than bush and darkness.
car they are freeloaders encouraged by pnc since their father ruled
These people started to receive notice since Barrat Jagdeo was president. Unfortunately the continue to listen to the opposition. This is the opportunity for these residents to gain a house and land from the Government but because they were misinformed by the opposition they are loosing out.,
WHERE THERE GIVEN NOTICE AND HOW LONG
THESE PEOPLE HAVE IT AS WHERE EVER THERE ARE LIVING THAT THE COUNTRY OR MORE SO REGION 4
The government must not be worried about the cost for relocating these people.
Where will they go.?
Mr Hermon is a silly man to encourage these people to remain there, what he prefer, squatters or an expanded international airport?.
If Hermon was the subject minister would he drop the expansion project or let the airport remain.,
Hermon does not know anything about progress, he came from a party that destroyed the entire country