–President expresses his disappointment

PRESIDENT David Granger has expressed disappointment with stakeholders at the Ogle Airport in what he termed the placement of personality over nationality in renaming the airport in honour of the Guyana’s first Minister of Communications, Shipping and Aviation, the late Eugene Correia. The Head of State reiterated his views on the matter in this week’s edition of “The Public’s Interest.”
The President made the suggestion to the Board of the Ogle International Airport Inc (OIA) several months ago when he addressed a gathering at the commissioning of Trans Guyana Airways (TGA), Raytheon Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
According to the President, based on research, Correia, who served the aviation and communications sector decades ago, was a distinguished minister of the Government of the day. He said Correia, who was also a pilot, made contributions to the National Assembly.
“I would say that his career was stellar,” he said, noting that Correia, who was a national awardee, was deserving of the honour.
However, some of the airline proprietors at Ogle objected to the move, and while no clear reasons have been provided, persons in the sector have noted that the name-change proposed strikes at the heart of competing factions at the East Coast of Demerara national port of entry.
The President noted on “The Public Interest” that controversy arose, “not because of the character of Mr Correia, but because of the small-mindedness of some persons who know nothing about Correia.”
He termed the issue “very disturbing.” He said he is personally disappointed at the behaviour of those persons who oppose the move, noting that anyone who knows Correia would consider and be proud of his record.
President Granger called on the board of the airport to consider Eugene Correia’s name in front of a packed crowd last September at TGA’s Beechcraft commissioning.
Subsequently, a new airline association in the form of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) was formed. However, TGA does not fall under the umbrella of that body.
The issue is likely to drag on with NATA’s membership opposed to late Correia’s name being emblazoned at the Ogle airport.