KINGSTON, Georgetown – Stakeholders of Ogle International Airport were assured by the Works Minister that safety precautions are in place at the facility.
“All basic steps are being taken to make it [Ogle] safe and secure,” Hon. Robeson Benn, who also has responsibility for transport, said on Monday following LIAT’s inaugural flight to the airport located on the East Coast Demerara (ECD).
He added, “I have been told by Mr. Harold Hopkinson that we have over 30-something cameras around the facility with respect to being able to access both air side and land side. I also noticed the dog which sniffs substances lying in wait there.”
And while the airport authorities would be challenged by individuals determined to test the resolute of the security system, the Minister stated that his Ministry in collaboration with the Home Affairs Ministry, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; airport employees; and relevant authorities such as the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) “will work together to ensure persons do not get away with breaking the law”.
Meanwhile, Ogle Airport security consultant Mr. Hopkinson said the airport has learnt from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) security mishaps.
“We will not make those basic mistakes, and we have a competent team of persons that will stem the tide of illegal narcotics and drugs; we have CANU and the police. We have a constant report and we share information; therefore, we have a good thing going.” The cameras are effective, he told reporters, adding that they work 24 hours and have backup systems in place.
