Visiting Caribbean Aviation security officials pay courtesy call on President

Georgetown, GINA, February 5, 2014

 

A team of officials from the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) met with President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President today, in the presence of local aviation officials and Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn who has responsibility for the sector.

The team comprised Chief Executive Officer of CASSOS Captain Gregory Fox, Chairman of CASSOS and Director General of Trinidad and Tobago’s Civil Aviation Authority Ramesh Lutchmedial, General Counsel of the GCAA Amanza Desir and Director General of the GCAA, Zulficar Mohamed.

President Donald Ramotar in meeting with from left to right: Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, Chairman of the GCAA Board Hugh Denbow, General Counsel of the GCAA Amanza Desir, Chief Executive Officer of CASSOS Captain Gregory Fox, Chairman of CASSOS and Director General of Trinidad and Tobago’s Civil Aviation Authority Ramesh Lutchmedial, and Director General of the GCAA Zulficar Mohamed

Government is keen on ensuring that the local aviation sector is operating to the highest international standards, Minister Benn expressed to the Government Information Agency (GINA). He said government is committed to fulfilling its obligations, particularly in terms of achieving compliance with several international standards, treaties and obligations with respect to aviation operations in Guyana.

Asked about Guyana’s state of compliance, the minister said that there is a lot of work to be done, but he is optimistic that once projects such as the expansion of Ogle and the Cheddi Jagan International Airports, and several other measures such as the training and hiring of competent staff and acquisition of the necessary equipment are completed, the sector will be successful.

Minister Benn said, Guyana has to get to a “Level 1” in keeping with CASSOS and International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) standards, “It is a lot of work, but we are looking to achieve our goal within the next two years”.

In an invited comment, Head of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Board, Hugh Denbow said that the officials were in Guyana for three days to liaise with local experts, and assist with ongoing efforts to craft a “roadmap”. This, Denbow said, will serve as a guide to take the local aviation sector forward as it moves towards higher internationally compliant standards. He added that the team was pleased that the president has given his commitment and that of government’s towards ensuring that all the interventions necessary will be made in order to meet internationally required standards.