Interior airstrips upgrade a welcome move – aviators

By Danielle Campbell-Lowe

The Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG) has applauded a move by government to commence the urgent rehabilitation of, and expansion work on key airstrips around the country, dubbing the investment a welcome move. Government has acquiesced to several requests made by the association for the speedy rehabilitation and expansion of several airstrips in outlying regions.

Public Relations Consultant at Ogle International Airport, Kit Nascimento told Guyana Times International that the association had made known to President Donald Ramotar its concerns regarding the local aviation sector.
In addition to these concerns, government was given a list of priority airstrips around the country, which the association believed was in dire need of either expansion or rehabilitative works.
According to Nascimento, most of the airstrips in the interior regions are in very poor condition with some requiring expansion. He explained that the Lethem airstrip, for obvious reasons, require developmental works, owing to the increase in cross-border trade with Brazil.
Nascimento added that the recent construction of the Takutu Bridge has created endless possibilities for tourism relations with Boa Vista. A few weeks ago, the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) led a delegation to neighbouring Brazil where interest in extending Guyana’s tourism prospects was exhibited.
The Brazilians have shown much interest in visiting Guyana for reasons outside just shopping in Lethem, Nascimento said. He noted that in order to facilitate this kind of mutual exchange, Region Nine would require a larger airstrip to accommodate larger domestic aircraft.
In an invited comment, Roraima Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Roraima Airways General Manager Gerry Gouveia said he was aware of the recent allocation towards the development of suitable airstrips in outlying regions.
Gouveia noted that the private sector did have an input in deciding which of the runways were considered as priority on the agenda. “We are aware that government does not have the exhaustive funds, and so they are not able to do everything that we want them to do and as fast as we want them to do it,” Gouveia stated.
He pointed out that in recent times, there have been some efforts to improve the existing runways and maintain airstrips in Region Seven which are in constant need of upgrade.
According to Gouveia, the larger allocation may have gone to Region Seven since the primary mode of transport there is air, whereas in Region Nine persons can utilise overland routes. “The Lethem runway is long and already has bitumen, so it just requires smoothening or surfacing,” Gouveia detailed.
Cabinet on Wednesday green-lighted more than Gy$ 100 million for rehabilitation and expansion works of several airstrips across Regions Seven and Nine. This was revealed by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.