LAST Friday night the Roraima Group of Companies celebrated the 21st year anniversary of Roraima Airways, the flagship company started by Captain Gerry Gouveia. Guests who included captains of the aviation industry, cabinet ministers, diplomats, Roraima staff members and President Donald Ramotar were treated to music from a steel band orchestra as they arrived to witness the momentous occasion.

Several speakers took their turn at the rostrum, each of them remembering and reflecting on the humble beginnings of Mr. Gerry Gouveia and Roraima Airways, which now gave birth to a whole range of new companies known as the Roraima Group of Companies. Many of the speakers, including the president and the heads of the Army and the Guyana Police Force mentioned how Mr. Gouveia made his planes and pilots available to them irrespective of the mission.
The President recalled how he experienced scary situations in the skies while flying with Captain Gouveia. He stated that if he ever finds himself in a scary situation in the sky, he wants Capt Gouveia to be the pilot in charge.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Clinton Urling reflected on how Capt Gouveia who was the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, when Urling started out in business and didn’t know anybody, willingly came and opened Germans restaurant, after it was renovated.
However it was not all about Capt Gouveia. The night was also about his wife, Captain Debbie Gouveia who was honoured for her contribution to aviation in Guyana. A series of commemorative stamps featuring Mrs. Gouveia were unveiled at the occasion by President Ramotar and Mr. Henry Dundas, the Postmaster-General. The stamps will cost between $80 and $150 and will be available for sale within a week.
Capt. Gouveia also reflected on the future of the Roraima group of companies and expressed his belief that they will be in safe hands as both his sons, one of which is still studying in Canada and couldn’t be there, are pilots, and wish to come back to Guyana to continue the proud legacy started by their dad. Debbie Gouveia, who became very emotional, especially after listening to her son spoke of his admiration for her via an online video message, reminisced about how she fell in love with flying at an early age, and how Captain Gouveia after they met, convinced her father to allow her to fly.
After the speeches and congratulations ended, the guests sipped their drinks, munched on the eateries, and danced late into the night.