Approximately eight months after the baggage scanner stopped functioning at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) at Ogle, it is yet to be fixed resulting in challenges to international passengers and security officers.
Stabroek News understands that passengers are subjected to individual bag checks at designated counters and are required to empty their luggage and repack them after the security check is completed.
The issue of the non-functioning x-ray screening equipment was publicised in letter in yesterday’s Kaieteur News. The author of the letter, a John Taylor, wrote that when inquiries were made to management, it was explained that they cannot find qualified technicians to repair the x-ray equipment.
Efforts by Stabroek News to solicit a comment from the airport’s management yesterday proved futile. Questions to the Airport Manager Phillip Leitch were directed to Communications Specialist Kit Nascimento.
When this newspaper contacted Nascimento, he said that a press statement will be issued in response to the letter.
During a visit to the airport yesterday, it was evident that the baggage scanner has not been functioning for some time and the doors to the scanning bay were closed.
An employee explained that the situation gets hectic in the afternoons when Caribbean Airlines passengers are being checked in for their departure to Barbados. It was pointed out that the process is sometimes slow and backed up as bags have to be checked.
While this newspaper was present at the airport yesterday, the few passengers who were flying to Suriname via Trans Guyana were being subjected to security checks behind screens.
From all indications, the airport management is still searching for technicians who are capable of repairing the scanner. The scanner is currently the only one at the airport.
