FORMER Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Brigadier Edward Collins was Wednesday sworn in as a Commissioner to investigate, examine, advise and report on all the circumstances under which the foreign aircraft, which was discovered near the village of Yupukari,Region Nine, Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu on September 13, entered the country.The simple ceremony took place before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and Brigadier Collins was expected to start his work immediately.
Brigadier Collins, who also serves as Presidential Advisor on National Security, told the media that this was not the first time an illegal aircraft had been discovered in Guyana, since there had been several reports in the past.
Stressing the importance of the Commission, he said “it speaks to the question of securing our airspace and the coarseness of our borders.’’
He said the Commission could subpoena witnesses, especially those in the hinterland who are involved with the investigation.
One of the 13 terms of reference states, “Whether it can be concluded from the information available and the relevant evidence and witness testimony that the agencies of the State acted in a manner consistent with security responsibly.”
The commission will report and advise President David Granger on the operational effectiveness of the various agencies of the State and the adequacy of the existing human resources, technology and equipment in the Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu areas.
Commissioner Collins is expected to tender his preliminary report to Minister of State Joseph Harmon on October 17 and the final report, findings and recommendations to President Granger on November 16.
The inquiry will be conducted continually at Lethem and Yupukari, Rupununi (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu), Region Nine and in such places as the Commissioner may determine.
The Commission will also have to decide “Whether the passage of information between the security forces was timely and whether there is need for review of the process, having regard to the national intelligence system.”
According to the terms of reference, the Commission shall exercise discretion in relation to the scope and intensity of the investigation as it considers necessary and appropriate.
The Guyana Chronicle previously reported that the police and army have already spoken with nearby residents who reported “suspicious activity,” such as the presence of motorcycles frequenting at midnight in the area. Reports had also indicated that the area where the aircraft was found was under the radar for the illegal drug-trafficking trade.
There were also reports that the abandoned aircraft had previously been sighted circling the area on numerous occasions in the past. The plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials on September 13 by a resident of the area.
The following day, a joint army and police team, inclusive of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), was dispatched to the location to conduct a full investigation and it was later revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon that the United States registration was bogus, since there is another active aircraft in the U.S. with the same registration number.
During a search of the aircraft, several pieces of communication equipment were discovered. These have been secured to be further examined for any potential leads.