GCAA to probe report of stray animals on Lethem runway

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will be launching an investigation into a report of stray animals traversing the runway at the Lethem Airstrip in Region Nine.

The issue was highlighted in the Stabroek News letter column yesterday by Clairmonte Lye, who cited several instances where the presence of the stray animals has affected landings.

“…The problem is even graver when animals invade the runway and taxiways of the Lethem airport on almost a daily basis. For instance, just last week, there were about five horses on the runway, causing the aircraft to overshoot the runway. Three days later horses tried to enter the compound just as a plane was taxiing for takeoff,” he wrote.

He further noted that the issue is not restricted to the actions of the stray animals but also those of residents who continue to breach the fence surrounding the airstrip, using the runway as a shortcut.

“On at least one occasion, a motorcyclist breached the fence and rode up the runway, totally unaware that a plane was on final approach to land.

The plane had to overshoot and land after the runway was clear,” Lye added.

Stabroek News was told that the situation is not a new one and as stated by Lye in his letter, it is compounded by the acts of “irresponsible residents” who would destroy the fence to access a shortcut to and from the Culvert City housing area. Attempts to seek answers from Mayor of Lethem Carlton Beckles were unsuccessful as he declined to comment on the issue.

However, Director of the GCAA Lt. Col. (Rtd) Egbert Fields, in an invited comment, noted that though he was not aware of the situation, he will have the claims investigated by the agency.

Once the reports are verified and proven to be legitimate, Fields said the GCCA will endeavour to address the issue with the assistance of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. The trial of former General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) Nizam Hassan, who is accused of approving payments for substandard work on the company’s headquarters, continued yesterday with the testimony of two more witnesses, including a former executive assistant.

It is alleged that Hassan conspired with Hanniel Madramootoo, the former agriculture ministry engineer, and others to approve payments to Constantine Engineering and Construction Services, although the works were “incompetently and incorrectly” done.

Hassan and Felicia De Souza-Madramootoo, the wife of the engineer, are on trial before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, while efforts are still ongoing to locate the other accused.

Ananda Persaud, who was employed by GMC during 2012 as the executive assistant to Hassan, presented her evidence-inchief yesterday.

During her testimony, Persaud said she was asked to prepare a requisition for Constantine Engineering on February 8, 2012. She noted that attached to the requisition were a bill of quantities, a request for payment for Constantine Engineering and a recommendation for payment from Madramootoo.

Persaud further noted that she prepared a payment voucher, signed the document and dated it and then took it to the accountant.

On June 29, 2016, she stated, she was called in by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and shown the documents. The prosecutor then made a request for the witness to be shown exhibits B1-B13 to identify the documents she made mention of.

Persaud identified the documents and noted that the internal requisition was dated February 8, 2012 for the amount of $1,496,916.

Subsequent to Persaud’s testimony, Dave Hicks took to the stand to present his evidence.

The matter was later adjourned until August 14.