and will be extended from 7

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Despite criticisms from the Joint Opposition about the proposed Cheddi Jagan International Airport extension, Government has moved forward with the construction.  The commencement has come despite claims by the Ministry of Works that this project was going to be hampered by cuts that were made by the oppositionA section of the cleared out farm lands at Timehri.to its 2013 budget.Officials from the airport were doing inspection works yesterday.  According to the official who did not want to be named, the contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is in the initial stage of construction. The official explained that workers have extracted the “soft soil” and started back filling with sand, which is to facilitate the runway extension.The official told Kaieteur News that this type of work has to be monitored closely since they have to ‘watch’ how the sand settles.It was noted that all of the swamp lands along with the geographic location have to be taken into consideration. The official further stated that it could not be specified as to how long that phase would last. Kaieteur News was told that everything including the weather have to be taken into consideration. The official said that it must be noted that the airport authority is working on a “plan’ as it relates to the removal of residents who have opposed moving from the area which government had earmarked for the construction.The entire $5.6 billion allocated to the transport sector programme was slashed by the parliamentary opposition during the consideration of the 2013 national budget estimates, despite the pleas of the government about the benefits that a modern airport will bring to this country.Of the amount, $5.3 billion was budgeted for the upgrade, expansion and modernisation of the CJIA through the construction of a new terminal building, aprons, air-bridges, taxiways, and the extension of the runway by a further 3500 feet.Benn had told a news conference back in July that US$20 million was earmarked for CHEC and work is ongoing; however, the heavy earth moving and other works have not yet started.Work in progress yesterday.A release by the ministry had said that Minister Benn along with other government and CJIA officials were taken on a site visit on October 31. CHEC’s Engineers are removing the soft soil (peat) and backfilling the area with sand.“I know we had some hiccups but I am happy to see works have commenced for this transformational project,” Benn told CHEC technicians.When completed the runway will be able to accommodate BOEING 747-400 aircraft, and will be extended from 7,500 feet to 10,800 feet, the release said.The release said that the Minister has instructed his Engineers to carry out tests on the soil (peat) found in the area. According to him, peat is produced as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world.