President David Granger on Thursday assured that the government would match private investment in the local aviation sector, which he said is critical for the administration’s push to unlock the potential of the hinterland.
“Huge economic and social disparities separate the hinterland from the coastlands. We will pay increased attention over the next five years to reduce these inequalities by improving communication and transportation, thereby unlocking the hinterland’s vast wealth,” Granger told local industry leaders.
According to a Ministry of the Presidency statement, Granger was speaking at the commissioning of a new Raytheon Beechcraft 1900D aircraft by Trans Guyana Airways and the Correia Group of Companies at the Ogle International Airport.
According to the ministry, Granger described the addition of the new aircraft to the local aviation sector as a “good move” and said it represents an expression of confidence in the future of domestic and commercial aviation.
“This aircraft, undoubtedly, will improve the range, reliability, quality and competitiveness of aviation services to the vast reaches of our hinterland,” he added.
He reminded the large gathering that the hinterland is an essential element in Guyana’s development and that it is the future frontier of economic progress and territorial occupation.
With this in mind, he said his administration will make every effort to unlock the hinterland’s vast wealth, albeit in a sustainable way so that the future generations can also benefit.
The statement added that the president acknowledged that domestic aviation has proven to be one of the keys to unlocking potential of the hinterland and supporting essential economic activities. “Your government acknowledges and values the contribution of the aviation sector to our country’s development. We are keen to ensure that this sector continues to expand and to provide improved services to all Guyanese,” he said.
Towards this end, he noted that his administration is prepared to complement private investment with public investment to create a more robust sector.
According to the ministry, Granger also announced that his government is also prepared to work with the sector and other stakeholders to achieve four major objectives that were set out in the ‘Draft Aviation Policy.’
These are: ensuring independent aircraft accident investigation; enhancing the capability of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; expanding the hinterland aerodrome rehabilitation programme; and establishing a permanent national search and rescue agency.
Speaking on accident investigation, Granger said the new administration will support the call for aviation accidents to be investigated promptly and competently so that lessons can be learnt, with the aim of improving regulations and preventing recurrences. “We agree that we must boost the institutional and technological capacity of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, in order to ensure greater aeronautical surveillance and enforce rigorous safety and security standards,” he added.
Granger also said greater emphasis will be placed on upgrading existing airstrips in hinterland communities as there is a growing need to expand the reach of domestic aviation services. “The hinterland has witnessed too many aviation mishaps and accidents. We want to ensure that once an accident occurs, relief will be on the way as quickly as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, the president congratulated the company on the new aircraft and also took time to pay tribute to local aviation pioneer Eugene Francis Correia. Correia was a prospector, and was later elected a member of the Legislative Assembly and first Minister of Commu-nication, Shipping and Civil Aviation in Guyana’s first post-independence government. The president urged the Director of Ogle International Airport Incor-porated to rename the facility the Eugene F. Cor-reia International Airport.
Minister of Public Infra-structure David Patterson, who was also in attendance at the commissioning ceremony, noted that a large allocation has been made in this year’s budget for improving the Internation-al Civil Aviation Organi-sation’s compliance towards attaining Federal Aviation Administration Category One status, for the rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips and for new equipment for Air Traffic Control. Patterson also assured that further provisions will be made in the 2016 budget for development of the sector.
Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes also spoke and applauded the initiative shown by the company, deeming it a boost for the tourism and hospitality sector. The new aircraft is a 19-seat pressurised twin-engine turboprop, fixed wing aircraft.
