CJIA contractor inks contract with TPL, BK to purchase US$3.5M worth of stone; Project on schedule

During last year, it was disclosed that the China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) executing the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will be purchasing stones from Surinamese Company, Grassalco.

The material was reportedly supplied at lower cost.

On Friday (May 12, 2017), the company inked two multi-million dollar contracts with local suppliers, BK International and Toolsie Persaud Quarries for the purchase of US$3.5M in stone.

During a site visit to the airport, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson noted that the decision to import stones from the Surinamese company has sparked some serious protests by local companies.

The contract was signed by CHEC Project Manager, Keliang Liu, Brian Tiwarie of BK, and Rajesh Persaud of Toolsie Persaud Quarries.

BK International Incorporated will be supplying 50,000 tonnes of stone at a cost of US$1.8M, while Toolsie Persaud Quarries will supply 45,000 tonnes of stone with a contract price of US$1.7M.

CJIA is also assessing other companies, including Metallica Incorporated as an additional supplier of stones for the project.

Additionally, it was disclosed that the project is still on schedule for the December 2017 deadline despite several challenges with the removal of utilities.

According to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Geoffrey Vaughn, to date close to $85M has been expended on the project. Areas nearing completion include the extension of North East and South West runway (80 percent). The relocation of most materials is almost completed while extensive works on the terminal building is outstanding.

Vaughn noted that the existing terminal building will be completely rehabilitated and used for departure only, while a new terminal building will be constructed for arriving passengers only. A boarding corridor with two passenger boarding bridges will connect directly to the terminal buildings, and a new diesel generator building and a fire pump station will be constructed.  A new apron and a taxiway to cater for larger aircraft are also considered.

During the tour, it was discovered that the North East end of the runway is more compact and elevated than the South West runway because the vibrofloation (a ground improvement technique used at a considerable depth that by using a powered electrically or hydraulically probe, it strengthens the soil) process is completed on the North East side of the runway.

It was also discovered that works are moving apace on the temporary terminal building and the new checking hall for passengers.

The project is being executed by a team made up of 311 employees. Vaughn said there are plans to expand the labour force to boost the project. In the upcoming months, work will speed up particularly on the terminal building this may disrupt traffic, but the aim is to complete the project as per schedule.