Georgetown: The Civil Aviation sector needs constant upgrading to ensure that it safeguards against trafficking and other illegal crimes. In this regard, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was Monday established between the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States to provide technical support and specialised equipment to the GCAA. This is expected to aid in the improvement of relevant protocols and processes to improve aviation security oversight and security operations at the international airports.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Public Infrastructure; David Patterson and United States Ambassador to Guyana; Perry Holloway at the Ministry’s Boardroom today.
Ambassador Holloway says “every airport is under a constant revision and change because unfortunately, the bad guys; they may be bad but they’re also smart and always changing with the trends so it involves inspection of passengers, employees, cargos, luggage, the actual procedures, the actual physical safeguards, a whole series of things and as we work more, at the beginning of the new year, we’ll be doing a lot more inspections.”
He added that “it has to do with inspection, cargo inspection, then possibly the equipment provided, things like (I’m not saying this is what’s coming but we have to do evaluation together with the government of Guyana), things like…specialized equipment that allows you to search cargo and aircraft to ensure that the facilities of the aircraft are safe”.
Meanwhile, Patterson reminded of some reservations that were expressed in the past by the TSA with the pace at which aviation security matters were being handled by the GCAA which he says is 95% addressed.
He expressed gratitude for the contribution noting that “It is needed not only for us to satisfy your requirements, but one that will also assist us significantly in meeting ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices”.
Noting that the TSA has been working closely with the GCAA and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Minister Patterson asked that the TSA include the Ogle International Airport in their assessment on their next visit.
Through this new Memorandum of Agreement, the US-TSA has already given a commitment to provide two (2) aviation security-training courses to the GCAA in 2016. These courses are designed to provide capacity building and development for GCAA’s Aviation Security Inspectors.
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