MY sympathies go to the relatives, friends and colleagues of the security driver, Solomon Burke, who was shot dead at the Trans Guyana facility at our Ogle Airport.
However, my condolences are mixed with the few enquiries related to the man’s murder, airport security and management at Ogle generally. I understand that Ogle, now an international airport is managed by private sector companies dominated by a strong corps of families. This is an opportune time for all of us who use Ogle to find out just who is responsible for the management or governance at Ogle Airport? Is it Trans-Guyana? Air Services Limited? Roraima? Or experienced larger group?
I hope that the airport management is prepared for overseas airlines entering the picture at Ogle. This is another challenge or opportunity whereby Guyana’s reputation and aviation capabilities will be at stake.
Guard Burke’s death must not be completely in vain. Let it be a wake up call to tighten all aspects of management at our second airport. I wonder how come a mining company with a large cache of weaponry is accommodated at Ogle? Who are the owners, besides Mr. Kit Nascimento, of the Mining Company and other companies, at that airport?
The fact remains, finally, that arms and ammunition were stored at an airport facility that is an international port of entry. This raises a whole set of questions. For now I regret that it took a fatal tragedy to find out a little more about our Ogle International.
I intend to do my own layman’s research on this matter, once having had a connection with local aviation in the distant past. Perhaps your newspaper can assist in this regard, Editor.