The Lethem Aerodrome in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), along with the airstrips at Port Kaituma in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Phillipai, will soon be rehabilitated and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) is now in the process of inviting bidders.
The invitations were published as notices in the print media. The invitation for bids to rehabilitate the Lethem Aerodrome comes six months after a study was done to determine how feasible it would be to upgrade the facility into a regional airport.
The general objective of the study was to determine the main costs and benefits associated with the project and analyse the economic development impacts. The study also included the demand and economic analysis, design proposal, and infrastructure budget. It was part of the Coalition Government’s plans to upgrade the airport’s runway and taxiway to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The sum of $2B was allocated to the Ministry in 2019 for the maintenance and rehabilitation of airstrips in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine.
Meanwhile, $50M each was allocated for Port Kaituma and Phillipai, and $184M for the Lethem Aerodrome.
