The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has directed the authorities at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport to suspend the issuance of Protocol Passes following allegations of a breach in security protocol at the airport on December 22.
The GCAA has conducted a Security Assessment into the matter and has directed the suspension “until this system is further reviewed,” the Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) noted in a statement on Monday.
Reports are that there was a breach in the protocol to allow Mr. Peter Ramsaroop, a known affiliate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to accompany Government defector, Charrandass Persaud to his flight LIAT flight #LI 392.
Persaud fled the jurisdiction after he voted with the opposition in favour of a No-Confidence motion against the Government.
The Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) in a statement on Monday denied that any breaches occurred.
It detailed that Mr. Persaud arrived at the Airport accompanied by Mr. Richard Beliveau, Mission Security Officer of the High Commission of Canada, together with Mr. Ramsaroop on December 22.
The Diplomat presented his Ministry of Foreign Affairs ID Card to the Airport Duty Officer and requested a pass to accompany a passenger to the aircraft.
Mr. Ramsaroop was issued with a pass in accordance with an established courtesy practice since he said he was part of Mr. Beliveau’s party,” the OAI said.
“The passes were duly returned in exchange for their respective ID documents on their departure from the Airport,” the statement outlined.
It contended that Mr. Beliveau and Mr. Ramsaroop, as well as Mr. Persaud, were subjected to full and complete screening before entering the Departure Lounge in accordance with the requirements of the Aviation Security Programme approved by the GCAA.
Following December 21st No-Confidence vote against the Government, Ramsaroop was also seen escorting Persaud from the Parliament building, Georgetown.
OAI is, in fact, in accordance with its Airport Operations Manual, “responsible for the control of entry into the Restricted Areas and the Prohibited Areas of the Airport” the statement outlined.
