While the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) has recently managed to solicit G$2 million from the Finance Ministry in an effort to revitalise the once abandoned airstrip at Linden, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said it would cost approximately G$68 million to get the facility back up and running.
The RDC had since 2016 embarked on an initiative to revitalise the abandoned facility, which, according to the Regional Chairman, was ranked among the best airstrips in the country. On Monday, a group consisting of 60 persons contracted by the RDC began clearing unwanted vegetation on and around the airstrip.
Speaking at the location at Mackenzie, Morian stressed the economic potential of the Linden airstrip once it comes back on stream. “We’re working to preserve this airstrip … We’re clearing almost a mile on both sides,” the regional chairman noted, as he pointed out that vegetation was now attempting to grow underneath the airstrip and this could result in more structural faults and damage.
“We did a survey, and to bring this thing back up and running… (it) is G$68 million … Our job is to make certain that this airstrip is in readiness for the next stage when the Government comes in … So, we want to preserve it,” he said.
Engineers who visited the site had asserted that it is one of the best structures that they have seen and the Council had expressed interest in bringing the abandoned airstrip back on stream, as a means to drive economic development in the Region.
Officials also discussed future collaboration with investors and prepared a proposal which was sent to the Public Infrastructure Ministry in an effort to revitalise the facility.
“We recognise, not just the potential for residents of Region 10 (but) nationally. Do you know how many persons from Linden have to travel to Georgetown to charter a plane or board a plane to go where they’re going? This airstrip gonna do great. The impact of this airstrip – think in terms of oil and gas, the movement of materials, people, etcetera. This airstrip – once it’s up and running – is gonna be a buzz of activities,” Morian noted on Monday. He also pointed to the possibilities when the Linden to Lethem road is developed.
