TIMEHRI - Two men, who are squatters in the Timehri area, were caught on Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) plundering the AmeriJet Bond, Timehri between November 19 and 20.
The surveillance led police to Albert Ramjaram and Ryan Waddel. Nearly $1M in office equipment were stolen.
Thirty four year-old Rajaram, also known as ‘Bonnie’ was sentenced to three years for break and enter and larceny offences when he appeared in the Magistrate’s court yesterday, November 25. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
However, his alleged accomplice 22 year-old Waddel, also known as ‘Patchie’ denied any involvement and was remanded to prison until November 29 for another hearing. He was unrepresented.
According to police records, only a computer and backup system were recovered - under a house in the vicinity of the Timehri Fire Station - from the loot.
This is the second such incident in two weeks where individuals have been arrested and charged for breaking and entering.
At the moment, a 17 year-old is behind bars awaiting trial after police confiscated four motorcycles [three of which were in parts]; one camera; one refrigerator; three cell phones; two laptops and one pair of computer speakers in a dwelling in the squatting area.
The Ministry of Public Works had previously and continues to express worry over the security aspect of the dwellings around CJIA including the cultivation of narcotics and thefts on aeronautical and airport facilities.
TIMEHRI - The Venezuelan airline, Conviasa airline made its inaugural flight on Saturday Nov. 24, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, starting a direct service from Puerto Ordaz to Georgetown, Guyana.
The airline, located at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Venezuela is the largest airline in that country, operating services to domestic destinations and to destinations in the Caribbean and South America.
The flight which had on board President of Conviasa Airline Luis Gustavo Graterol Caraballo and other officials was welcomed by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn along with CJIA’s, Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir and Chairman, Ramesh Dookhoo, Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Margarita Arraita Diaz and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh, and other officials.
During a simple ceremony at CJIA, Minister Benn said that the airline’s arrival was significant in that it has strengthened the relations between Guyana and Venezuela.
“I am happy to know that within such a short space of time, based on the inspiration of the late Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, to realise the intention of the two presidents, Nicholas Maduro and Donald Ramotar who met just recently and signed a Memorandum of Understanding which identify that the two countries must have air transport links,” Minister Benn pointed out.
He added that the fact that this vision could have been realised so quickly, speaks volume of what can be achieved if the two countries work together. “This is the kind of spirit, the kind of working together, the kind of development and relationship between the two people that we all desire,” he stressed.
“What will spring up from this is a strengthening of economic ties, business, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries that will benefit all,” Minister Benn explained.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Ghir who noted that the flight adds to CJIA’s strategy of becoming the “next generation” hub and also a hub for the Guianas, and will encourage more airlines to come to Guyana, together with the airport expansion project.
Ghir said that the agency is looking forward for a productive partnership with Conviasa in years to come. He assured of the commitment and cooperation and pledged that steps will be taken to ensure that flights will be processed in a timely fashion. “This is a great achievement for bilateral relations and improving transport and enriching ties between the two countries.”
The new air service is welcomed more so at this time of the year when Guyana will be experiencing an increase in tourist arrivals.
GTA’s Director Indranauth Haralsingh noted that this new airline and route will expand travel tourism and trade within the two countries, and boost access to other South American countries. He said that Conviasa is a perfect fit for Guyana because of its national and regional networks.
Haralsingh said that currently arrivals from Venezuela to Guyana for 2013 have increased by 27 percent, and this will help to further increase that, and to sustain the increase in general.
Meanwhile, CJIA’s Chairman Dookhoo said that many persons from the private sector are looking for an easier way to get to Venezuela to conduct business; hence this new airline will be of great help. He pledged to assist in marketing the airline and ensure the seats are filled when leaving Guyana.
Conviasa’s President expressed gratitude to Guyana for affording the airline the opportunity to expand its commercial operations. Caraballo said that this is a realisation of the political will of the two countries’ presidents.
Caraballo said that the trip takes only 51 minutes and will start with once weekly flights and eventually twice depending on the progress. Caraballo expressed optimism that the airline will see growth, in keeping up with the latest technology in order to improve its transport capacity to Guyana.
Recently, Fly Jamaica began servicing the Guyana- New York route via Jamaica and soon Travel Span will begin operations, thereby making the airline industry more competitive.
TIMEHRI - All personnel attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will be required to undergo first responder training.
The recommendation was raised during an assessment and review session following a two hour full scale simulation exercise at the Timehri facility yesterday, November 6 - which tested fire, security and medical personnel’s abilities to respond to a disaster.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn was among a team of observers who critiqued the simulation in the CJIA’s Boardroom. A programme of this nature will be developed shortly by the Ministry of Health.
Further, Minister Benn encouraged the emergency response teams to explore the possibility of having their international counterparts present at similar activities to provide an unprejudiced assessment of their reaction to emergencies.
The simulation exercise is part of the airport’s guaranteed process to training international certification. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Customs and Immigration, Ministry of Health, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Guyana Red Cross and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), were among some of the stakeholders involved in the mock exercise.
The exercise is executed every two years.
TIMEHRI - Three employees - two Ramp Attendants and an Airline Security - were dismissed over the past two weeks from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after they were found to be soliciting money from passengers while on duty.
This is in keeping with the airport’s zero-tolerance approach to any such act, which only serves to tarnish the reputation of the Corporation and its Stakeholders.
Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir said that under CJIA’s rulebook, stealing and soliciting passengers for money are serious offences.
“It is my hope that others, who are tempted to bend the rules will see that we mean business. CJIA will not condone such gross dishonesty,” he declared.
Against this backdrop, passengers are being urged to demand receipts for payments made at check-in, and encouraged to report all requests for money or bribery by staff of the airport.
Further, passengers should also note that there is no additional charge for carrying frozen or cooked foods in their baggage, unless they are overweight.
CJIA is advising passengers to report any misconduct of its staff to the Supervisors or Managers of the respective Airlines or the Airport Duty Office (ADO) on telephone numbers 592-261-2261/600-7022.
Meanwhile, Caribbean Airlines Airport Manager, Carl Stuart, commended CJIA’s management for taking such action. “Actually we support and respect any initiative put in place to improve the customer experience.”
He added that CAL has a strict policy for monetary transactions. There is a designated agent for that purpose, and signages advising passengers to collect receipts are visible.
Apart from the ticketing desk, the Departure Tax Office, Red Cap Porters and Secure Wrapping Service are the only other channels where money should be exchanged.
TIMEHRI - If a plane crashes at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) how effective will be the rescue response?
On November 6, 2013, a full scale preparedness exercise will be unleashed to test the airport’s emergency responses while providing hands-on experience for airport and airline staff, hospitals, fire service, security and other emergency personnel.
During the simulated exercise, personnel will respond as in a real scenario, including the use of sirens, firefighting equipment and other emergency vehicles.
An Airport Emergency Committee, which usually plans for any emergency at the Airport, began preparation for the exercise more than six months ago in developing the scenario and coordinating the logistics for the large-scale event.
Ramesh Ghir, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) explained that "the simulation is a great opportunity to test the airport's readiness to respond to any emergency. We always have to ensure that key airport stakeholders and first responders are aware of their roles in the event of an emergency where timing and coordination are key elements to saving lives and saving expensive assets. The full scale emergency exercise takes place every two years and is a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).”
Meanwhile, a script outlines exactly what areas will be tested during the exercise. This criterion was crafted by experts from various law enforcement and health agencies.
"The element of surprise is key. The first responders will respond to the scene of the accident and these personnel will be tested on how they will react in a real emergency when making decisions," said Andre Kellman, the airport’s Deputy Operations Manager, who is coordinating the response for emergency personnel during the exercise.
Testing, testing
A sign test was conducted on October 23 at the proposed crash site. According to Kellman, clear signages are important because they lessen the chaos and traffic congestion during a ‘real life incident”.
“Traffic control is a major challenge…so we want to get the signs right which will guide the police and other emergency crew to the scene,” he explained to Committee members.
Moreover, the roles that each agency will play in the exercise were also cemented at the October 23 meeting. The Guyana Defence Force, Customs and Immigration, Ministry of Health, Caribbean Airlines, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Civil Defence Commission and the Guyana Police Force are among the stakeholders for the November simulation exercise.
KINGSTOWN - The tedious process of disembarking at Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Piarco International Airport, passing through security before boarding an aircraft to the United States will be something of the past - effective November 1, 2013.
The United States of America Transport Security Administration (TSA) has approved the request for the alternate procedure to be applied for GEO passengers transiting in Port of Spain (POS).
Hon. Robeson Benn, Minister of Transport, is pleased with the decision.
“It means that passengers leaving Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and passing through POS can do so hassle free. The existing process prompted numerous complaints and we had to urgently address the situation with Caribbean Airlines (CAL) officials,” he said.
In August, Minister Benn and Housing and Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali met with CAL Senior Executives including its Chairman, Phillip Marshall and Chief Executive Officer, Jagmohan Singh to address several concerns with the airline including the treatment of GEO passengers transiting POS.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) held a follow-up meeting in Trinidad, and high on the agenda was the re-screening process.
“…so it was decided that CJIA and CAL will jointly approach TSA to review the application for an alternative procedure. Now this has borne fruit, passengers do not have to deplane,” Ghir added.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Lutchmedial, Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer, T&T Civil Aviation Authority told Minister Benn that he is happy “we have been finally able to resolve this.”
TIMEHRI - The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has opened a Community Relations Office as part of its mandate to ensure that the relocation process of individuals squatting on airport lands be a seamless one.
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and CJIA were the architects behind the move.
Dursatty Doodnauth-Mangru, the airport’s Commercial and Administration Officer, is optimistic that the squatters will appreciate that the facility is trying to improve community relations as the airport expansion project shifts into drive mode.
The office was set up on October 1 and is being manned by Tenisha Trotman.
TIMEHRI - One of first impressions passengers arriving at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport gets of Guyana is from the interaction with the Red Cap porters and taxi drivers, which CJIA’s management intends to build on.
At a meeting held a few days ago, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir; Commercial and Administration Manager Durrsattie Doodnauth and Safety Officer Manmohan Balram engaged in a candid discussion with the authourized taxi drivers and Red Cap porters. It was held in the CJIA Viewing Gallery Lounge.
“You are our ambassadors and the image portrayed has to be one of professionalism,” CEO Ghir stated.
Given the fact several complaints have been laid against both drivers and porters - Ghir wanted to nip any problems in the bud before it festered. According to him, customer service is a significant boost to any airport and “our own should not be any different.”
Furthermore, a new system was unveiled to taxi drivers, which will permit a smooth and efficient shift arrangement.
“They will operate a turn system whereby passengers will go with the next taxi in line. This will eliminate individual taxi drivers themselves approaching passengers and trying to coerce them into using their service. It will be more structured and lend to be better experience for the passengers” Ghir explained
Overall, drivers agreed with the plan, which will get into effect shortly. He also acknowledged there will be teething problems that will be rectified along the way.
The CEO underscored the fact that the quality of service delivered to passengers “should and will remain top class”.
TIMEHRI - Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Ramesh Ghir, is livid over comments made by a Fly Jamaica Airways executive about the perceived lax security at the Airport.
On Saturday during a press conference Director of Finance and Commerce Roxanne Reece stated that she would like to see a more reliable and efficient security system at CJIAC.
However, Ghir responded. Below is his full statement:
“It is very disappointing and unfortunate that a director of Fly Jamaica would choose to publicly address her concerns about drug incidents at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) without first engaging the airport authorities about such anxiety.
As Chairman of the Airport Security Committee and head of the Airport Corporation I can safely say that no such concern was ever raised with us; not even at the level of the Board of Directors.
We will be happy to engage the staff and directors of Fly Jamaica to address any security related questions that they may have. The airport’s Corporation and its Security Committee remain steadfast to continuously working with its stakeholders to improve passengers’ experience.
We remain very excited and look forward to Fly Jamaica getting on board!”
TIMEHRI - Eleven young members of the First Assembly Of God Church got firsthand information on the scope and significance of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) expansion project during a tour of the facility on Friday, September 6.
Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer explained in depth the economic viability of the project and entertained questions from the group.
“We encourage such tours to engage the young minds…I am pleased with the sharp questions that were posed,” Ghir said.
The group was chaperoned by Colonel Wilbert Lee, who is a Pastor, and visited the terminal building and the Aircraft museum.
So far for 2013 – CJIA has facilitated between 30 and 40 tours.
