$1B earmarked to ‘fix-up’ two hinterland airstrips

The Ministry of Public Karisparu airstrip to the tune Works is planning to spend of $314,421,450, while The almost $1 billion to have the OrlandoCharlesFoundation Matthews Ridge Airstrip in (Continued on page 15) Region One and the Paruima Airstrip in Region Seven rehabilitated.

This is according to an invitation for bids (IFB) published in this publication on Sunday According to the a d v e r t i s e m e n t , t h e rehabilitation of the Region Seven airstrip is projected to cost $353,800,000 while the runway in Region One is peggedat$645million.

The Matthews Ridge Airstrip and the one in Paruima are among several runways which would be rehabilitatedthisyearsoasto make the structures safer for aircraftstoland.

This is according to Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh who mentioned during his 2023 budget presentation that the government has allocated $1 6 billion from the National Budget to rehabilitate and maintain a number of hinterland airstripsinthecountry

“Mr Speaker, several hinterland airstrips and related facilities were also rehabilitated and maintained to make them safer for aircraft, travellers, tourists, and investors In 2022, Government expended $600 m i l l i o n t o w a r d t h e completion of the Lethem, Baramita, Paramakatoi and Kaieteurairstrips,pavingthe way for new developments in these communities to attract more business, tourism and socio-economic activities,”heexplained.

The Minister had noted that part of the $600 million too; they also commenced rehabilitation on three airstrips – Eteringbang in Region Seven, Karisparu in Region Eight and Ekereku

Bottom in Region Seven –which will be completed during the first half of this year

He added, “In 2023, an amount of $1.6 billion has been allocated for their completion and at the same time, caters for the rehabilitation of Paruima, Imbaimadai and Matthews Ridge airstrips and maintenance of other hinterlandairstrips.”

As it relates to the Ekereku Bottom, Karisparu and Eteringbang airstrips, this publication had reported that contracts were awarded for them to be rehabilitated. In April last year, contractor Ideal Engineering was contracted to work on the

Anna Regina Townhall, Essequibo Coast

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