The security division of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday received $2M worth of equipment, which will complement the existing resources and boost operations at the airport.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir handed over the items to the airport’s security management committee at Timehri on Tuesday. The items included ten Very High Frequency (VHF) communication radios, a VHF base station radio, two hand held metal detectors, a modular bomb kit device and an operational test piece device.

Ghir gave assurances that the corporation will continue to provide necessary support, resources and training to the division to strengthen security. Reference was also made to effectiveness of the existing systems and the response of security staff, which recently thwarted attempts to smuggle a gun out of the country, the release added.

Assistant Commissioner Special Constabulary Marvin Glasgow said there needs to be ongoing efforts to acquire advanced equipment and security systems since law breakers are also using modern technology for illicit purposes. He said he was grateful for the equipment as it will help security staff to tighten their safety at all levels.

GINA said efforts are also being made to ensure that there are adequate systems in place for the safe processing of passengers’ luggage and to ensure quick detection of any type of metal contained in luggage. Meetings were held with the airport management and several airlines to discuss measures in this regard.

Supplementary staff has also been hired to deal with the holiday season traffic and to lessen congestion at arrival and departure ports.

According to GINA, government, with assistance from the Multi-Lateral Investment Fund through the Inter-American Development Bank, made major investments to improve security at the airport.

Under a contract with an international aviation security company, focus was placed on regulatory strengthening, implementing new administrative services and training. The main objective was to enhance the national civil aviation security programme, formalize the general regulatory framework and design a long-term strategy for financial and operational sustainability of the present and future airport security systems.