Dear Editor,
So friends due to arrive at Timehri International had to turn back to land at other airports because of electrical failure. Another victim of GPL.
The Government Press release dated 10th June 2024, states that “ flights returning to CJIA, following lightning strike : Teams from the Cheddi jagan International Airport and GPL are continuing to rectify the runway lighting system damaged during severe thunderstorms and lightning.”
I spoke with persons at Hyde Park and those who live on the hill, a short distance from the runway. They all conceded that it was an unusually heavy storm in the area. Having said that, allow me to state as follows.
The present runway at Timehri is basically a much improved extension of what the Americans built during the Second World War. That area was known as Atkinson Field and further east was known as the bomber dispersal area, where the larger American planes parked including the sturdily built D-C-3 used to transport personnel and goods. That area after Independence was reclaimed and is now known as the Dakota Racing Circuit.
First point, the Americans studied the area including consulting residents in the contiguous areas. With this abundance of money and the availability of improved technology, what happened on Sunday evening ought to be avoided by putting in place systems to withstand this occasional assault by Mother Nature. This of course includes consulting those who have lived there for generations and technically qualified persons. Of course any form of consultation seems anathema to our majestic President and our illustrious Government. I make no further comment except to say on Sunday morning at about 3:00 a.m. we had a blackout in Lodge. Compliments from the management of GPL. We deserve much more as citizens living in a country with the fastest growing economy in the world.
So long as many of us are reluctant and afraid to speak up, our bounty and rich natural resources will be the fodder to feed a curse and not a blessing. They say little things mean a lot and we should not suffer this inconvenience at our never -done airport.
Yours truly,
Hamilton Green
Elder