A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), which will see the provision of technical support and specialized equipment was signed yesterday between the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the US Transpor-tation Security Administration (TSA).
According to a press release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, support and equipment provided under the MoA will assist the GCAA development of relevant protocols, procedures, processes to improve its aviation security oversight and security operations at the international airports. The MoA also provides for training opportunities for capacity building in the regulatory and operational environment.
The agreement opens avenues for Guyana’s international airports to benefit from specialised equipment for cargo and passenger screening, the release said.
The release said that under the MoA, the TSA has already given a commitment to provide two 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.
The commitments are well received and will aid the GCAA’s preparation for an upcoming audit under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) scheduled for 2016. This audit will determine Guyana’s level of compliance with ICAO Aviation Security Standards and Recommended Practices, the release said.
It added that the agreement will also demonstrate to industry partners both at the international and national levels, including ICAO, FAA, IATA and the domestic industry, Guyana’s seriousness and commitment to improving and providing appropriate resources and regulatory structure to conduct effective aviation security oversight of the sector.
It said too that the initiatives will avail an enhanced aviation security posture and will assist with Guyana not only satisfying the US-TSA standards but other international requirements as well.
The agreement also comes at a time when there is renewed stewardship by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson and GCAA’s Director General (ag) Chaitrani Heeralall to improve its regulatory oversight capability, the release said.
It stated that efforts are being made by the ministry and the GCAA to formalise aviation security oversight by increasing staffing levels which had been significantly lacking in the past years, and strengthening its oversight capability through establishment of legislation and modernising the aviation security regulations and procedures.
The MoA was signed by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson on behalf of the GCAA and United States Ambassador Perry Holloway on behalf of the TSA, the agency tasked with safeguarding the USA’s air transport sector from acts of unlawful interference or terrorism.
The release noted that the MoA underlined the commitment made when Patterson met US Charge d’ Affaires Bryan Hunt, in June and petitioned for technical assistance and regulatory oversight for the maritime and aviation sectors.
It noted too that the continued partnership between Guyana and the US is necessary for the growth of international aviation activities, particularly, connectivity between US destinations and Guyana. Given the increased challenges faced in the area of aviation security, Guyana welcomes the continued support and commitment of the US government and TSA to improve its security efforts at international airports, the regulatory agency and the country as a whole.
Noting the importance of North American destinations, as there are large Guyanese communities in that region, it stressed that Guyana has to meet international requirements for aviation security and satisfy the TSA of its capability and efforts at maintaining that acceptable level of security for Guyana to continue accessing these destinations.
The events around the world regarding acts of terrorism and unlawful interference over the past weeks have underscored the challenges faced in aviation security and have been of major concern, the release said adding that the GCAA will continue to work with industry partners to establish and implement mechanisms to safeguard this sector as it tries to ease the hassle of air travel.
