The Atlanta Chapter of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) party’s North American groups has moved a motion at the PNCR Congress that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Guyana’s main port of entry, be renamed the Burnham-Jagan-Timehri International Airport (BJTIA).
The motion, carried in the name of the Atlanta Chapter’s Chairwoman, Carol Trim-Bagot, suggests that the airport should be named after both of Guyana’s independence architects, particularly the late President Linden F S Burnham.
of the PNCR’s North American
Groups, Carol Trim-Bago0
The motion is also claiming that the late PNCR leader Forbes Burnham was executive President and leader of the country at the time the airport was constructed. It noted that the former Timehri International Airport was named after Guyana’s indigenous peoples.
Further, the motion is saying that the idea of renaming the CJIA is to keep the importance of the two founding fathers. It stated Burnham’s commitment to the people of Guyana is equally important to the Guyanese community and the Caribbean.
The Atlanta Chapter’s motion has reportedly claimed that Burnham also played a major role in the political, social and economic development of Guyana, although the airport was renamed Cheddi Jagan International Airport to honour the contribution of Jagan to Guyana.
A source close to the party told this newspaper that the motion was sent to a special committee for further consideration, but it may neither be passed in the current congress nor at the committee, as it did not receive popular support at the congress.
The source noted that top stalwarts of the party have already viewed the motion as one that could lead to much controversy in the country, and this is not something the party is looking to create, as renaming of the airport is not an important matter.
Laughable
Nevertheless, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, a long-serving PPP executive member, who offered her view on the issue, said the idea is laughable and insensitive on part of the PNCR party and its members.
Making it clear that she was speaking on her own personal behalf, and not on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Teixeira said if the PNCR Congress agrees to the proposal, only then would her party be able to officially make a statement on it. But she said that if such a decision were to be made, she does not believe it would get popular support from the Guyanese nation.
In March 1997, following the death of President Dr Cheddi Jagan, the then President, Samuel Hinds, decided to rename the airport in Jagan’s honour. The proposition to rename the airport was made in the Parliament (National Assembly) by then Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Vibert De Souza.
De Souza noted that it would be a fitting tribute to a man who had spent his life committed to the betterment of Amerindian people and fighting for the freedom and unity of all Guyanese. A plaque bearing the new name was unveiled on May 21, 1997 by then Prime Minister Janet Jagan.
The CJIA (airport) is currently undergoing modernisation and expansion at a cost of G$150 million. The runway is expected to be extended to about 10,500 feet, and the expansion is going to provide a new terminal building with a few boarding bridges, elevators and other additional amenities.
