Dear Editor,
I’ve had to commute to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport over the past five years, on an average of three times a year, and on every occasion, the trips seem to be getting from bad to worse. I’ve been intending to write on this nightmare for over two years, but procrastination intruded.
I felt some degree of hope after a particular incident when travellers were seen in photographs “pulling suitcases” to reach the airport, which prompted His Excellency to summon the contractor(s), Minister and others responsible to an urgent meeting.
However, after an initial alleviation of the trauma, the issue has reverted to utter CHAOS once again. I had to travel this route two weeks ago and saw lines of vehicles extending for MILES with little or no movement for periods in excess of 15 minutes at a time.
I was reminded of this long overdue letter after seeing a travel advisory that passengers should leave for the airport in enough time (?) in order to reach it three hours before check-in time. I know as a fact that persons who can afford it have resorted to staying at the newly opened hotel in close proximity to the airport.
I can only imagine what persons travelling to and from the CJIA, who live in Essequibo, Berbice, and hinterland areas have to go through.
I confess that I am NO expert in construction, but on many occasions, I’ve seen very few workers “on site” doing actual work, with equipment both on and off the carriageways, just parked. I often wonder if this project doesn’t have a supervisor, and if it does, how often reports are required and who these are sent to. I know the weather has been unpredictably adverse and erratic, but surely after so many years in construction, much better can be done.
I’ve heard comments that too long “stretches” of construction are being done simultaneously, with sometimes no traffic control, forcing the “law of the jungle” to take over, obviously causing additional chaos and frayed nerves.
I know there would be criticism for not suggesting solutions to this unacceptable situation, but my answer to that is twofold:
Who listens?
And don’t we any longer have the experts who we are already paying to provide efficient and workable solutions to this seemingly endless “Cassandra Crossing”?
I know as a fact that for contracts of this type, a clause for liquidated damages is mandatory for delays which are not force majeure. Can the responsible agency please let the Guyanese people know when this contract is supposed to be completed and, if the time stipulated in the contract has elapsed, whether this clause is being enforced?
Anxiously awaiting some response, Editor, if it is found useful to publish my concerns.