President of the Florida headquartered Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce, Wesley Kirton, has thrown out the suggestion that the Government of Guyana look to the Diaspora for investment in upgrading airstrips in the country’s hinterland. He threw out the suggestion while chairing the first Annual General Meeting of the National Air Transport Association of Guyana [NATA] held on April 19 at Duke Lodge, Guyana.
From left: Larry London-Chairman of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; US Ambassador Holloway; Annette Arjoon Martins, President of NATA; Minister Annette Ferguson; Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Egbert Field; Capt. Gerry Gouveia -Vice President of NATA and Wesley Kirton who chaired the meeting.
Kirton said that public private partnerships involving Diaspora entrepreneurs could provide for the upgrade of several airstrips in Guyana’s interior to include asphalted runways, small terminal buildings with bathroom and other facilities, security and even small hangers for aircraft that could be based in various hinterland locations thus saving them having to fly to the city when they do not need to.
He has since reported that Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure with responsibility for Aviation, Annette Ferguson, has invited the Guyanese American Chamber to submit a concept paper that would outline how such a public private partnership would function. Kirton said that such a paper will be prepared and submitted within 30 days. Minister Ferguson was the keynote speaker at NATA’s first Annual General Meeting during which Kirton’s suggestion was made.
Among others participating were US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Perry Holloway; Chairman of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Colonel. (ret’d) Larry London; GCAA Director General, Lt. Colonel (ret’d) Egbert Field and Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddie Jagan International Airport, Ramesh Ghir.
Kirton also spoke of the importance of international air links with Guyana pointing to the fact that Guyanese in the Diaspora look forward to heightened levels of customer service from many of the airlines serving Guyana and destinations in North America.
He also praised the domestic air transport operators for forming themselves into an association and for seeking to provide safe and cost effective service to passengers travelling to the hinterland.