A special security monitoring committee is being set up for the Ogle Airport to identify and neutralise possible threats.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ogle Airport Incorporated (OAI) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday for the establishment of the “Special Airport Security Monitoring Committee,” which is to be chaired by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee. The Monitoring Committee will comprise members of the agencies assigned to the airport, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
According to the MoU, mechanisms would be implemented to foster and promote clarity of functions; streamlining of operations; avoidance of overlapping; and smooth and rapid action/reaction to critical situations.
The MoU also states that the mechanisms should include but are not limited to the establishment of the Monitoring Committee comprising a member from each of the relevant agencies assigned at the OIA, including any private enterprise that operates an electronic video monitoring system that allows transmission into the Operation Room.
The Committee’s functions shall be to observe, monitor and recommend for implementation to the Airport Security Committee, interventions and proposals with regards to aviation and airport security, with a view to providing a safe and secure environment for all users of the airport.
Agencies are expected to take appropriate action in keeping with Standard Operation Procedures relating to the airport’s operations, administration and security; to relate generally with the Airport Security Committee, that is, security of everything and everyone within the confines of the airport; and concerning any other matter, issue or detail that in its judgement, might have the potential of impinging in any way on any aspect of airport security, be it personnel, property, assets, information, users and potential users of the airport, through any and/or all the various collaborating agencies.
Agencies monitoring or in control of CCTV, scanner, video or other media are mandated to provide the footage/tape to law enforcement agencies upon request for investigative purposes.
Airport security, the MoU also says, shall serve to complement and not interfere in the operational and administrative functions of other agencies operating at the airport.
It states that agencies should be aware that failure to report possible lapses or intended committal of breaches could result in serious compromise of the general security of the airport. Also, in its regular meeting, which shall be held once each month, unless otherwise deemed necessary, the Airport Monitoring Committee shall discuss and share any and all information among members, which will lead to the general enhancement of the Airport’s security.
Rohee, according to GINA, commended the OAI management for the cooperation, assistance and measures already taken while preparing the MoU, which is expected to boost national security through enhanced information-sharing and stronger standards to reduce crime in the industry and ensure safer air travel.
“The security situation at the Ogle Airport now demands a well integrated approach; there is little value in continuing to apply a piecemeal solution to the problem areas,” he said. Rohee noted that physical and information security much be covered through an integrated inter-agency approach as there is need for a comprehensive portfolio of security systems and services to reduce the prevailing security flaws and breaches.
According to Rohee, passengers and baggage are not the only sources of threats to commercial aviation security, as they can also come from the many processes within the industry such as food and retail services, cleaning, ticketing, maintenance, air traffic control, baggage handling, among others. The minister also noted that currently the internal security system at Ogle is somewhat constrained by the limited ability to access accurate, systematically collected and processed information from national law enforcement agencies and by staffing limitations as well.
Member agencies signed on to the MoU will benefit from the expanded network created and are expected to capitalise on the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about airport security and better able to identify local threats. The minister said this arrangement is particularly beneficial today as an increasing number of law enforcement agencies are involved in different aspects of airport and seaport security.
OAI Chairman Michael Correia noted that the company is one of the first public/private infrastructural partnerships of its kind in Guyana and as a result its successes and failures can be instructive for government to review. He also noted that as it continues to evolve, much needed private sector capital and expertise will be necessary as part of a new and ongoing strategy to fast track national infrastructural development.
“We at OAI are happy to serve the nation in this respect and as a sign of our strong commitment to contribute to national development…all of OAI’s working capital plus additional equity from its investors have been ploughed back into the airport’s ongoing development programme,” Correia said. He then reiterated a call to Transport Minister Robeson Benn to establish the much-needed airport review panel that was provided for under OAI’s agreement with the government. He said this will boost transparency, accountability, good governance and adherence to the regulations and the rule of law by the airport authority and its end-users.
GINA said OAI is Guyana’s second international airport; providing support to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri. “It provides inter-connecting flights to neighbouring Brazil through Lethem, Region Nine and direct flights to Suriname with approximately 100 aircraft movements on a daily basis,” it noted.
GINA also said that the facility is viewed as a big support for the development of Guyana’s interior with an increasing movement of close to 20 million pounds of cargo in 2011. The Ogle Airport was given international status in September 2009.
