CABINET last Tuesday decided to establish a Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the presence of the Ecuadorian-registered aircraft in Guyana and the subsequent related and unfolding events. Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Roger Luncheon made the announcement yesterday at his weekly media briefing at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.
Luncheon, also Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), said  five commissioners will be appointed and the specific terms of reference include inquiring into the nature of ownership and the circumstances leading to the aircraft’s arrival in Guyana, inclusive of the persons involved in its placement and flight handling in Guyana.
The probe is expected to unveil the authorisations, permissions and the nature of mechanical works and ground handling; storage for the aircraft at Ogle Aerodrome; the authorisation given; handling; use and procedures followed in allowing the aircraft to depart Ogle Aerodrome on a flight planned for Boa Vista, Brazil; the nature of events and circumstances leading to the search and rescue effort and its eventual discovery at an illegal airstrip East of Pirara last October 30.
Meanwhile, according to the Government News Agency (GINA), the Guyana Government is of the view that the 421 Cessna plane was in Guyana for a specific purpose which was slowly being implemented during the months it was here.
Luncheon, at a previous press conference, had said the plane clearly came to Guyana with the intention of “belonging, contributing and completing that mission.”

Deluge
“We are anticipating a deluge of correspondence from parties that are in one way or the other involved in this matter. We have sought the assistance of our bilateral and international partners in pursuing this matter to full disclosure,” he said.
The aircraft, piloted by Brazilian Goncalo Ferrera Nema Neto, arrived in Guyana en route from Trinidad about two months ago on a technical flight. The pilot had reported that the aircraft had developed engine problems and he was forced to land at the airstrip
According to GINA, such flights are normal and facilitate aircraft seeking stopovers for rest, fuel and other services.
Transport Minister Robeson Benn stated that the Guyana authorities were told that the aircraft which was headed towards Boa Vista, Brazil required maintenance work and it was receiving this attention at Ogle Airport.