(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Guyana came in for high praise from His Excellency Edwin Carrington, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Wednesday September 9, 2009 on the occasion of the certification of its domestic aerodrome as an international airport.
The Ogle Airport, located within proximity of the headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana was certified, yesterday, as international airport – a project which began in 2003.
Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary-General Carrington said that the achievement further propelled his vision for area surrounding the CARICOM Secretariat to be transformed into a development hub.
“The circle is almost complete from my vision expressed in 2003 which included the Secretariat Headquarters, a Conference Centre, the University of Guyana and the International Airport. The two other elements will surely not be too long in coming – a five star hotel and a shopping centre,” Mr. Carrington said.
Highlighting the expected benefits of the Ogle Airport, he said that it would improve intra-CARICOM air travel and transportation, particularly Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados; facilitate air travel and transportation between CARICOM Member States and the countries of Latin America, particularly Brazil, Venezuela and French Guiana; promote and facilitate Caribbean multi-destination tourism by twinning the traditional tourism products of some CARICOM Member States with the enormous eco-tourism potential of Guyana; and facilitate CARICOM governance by making air travel from other CARICOM Member States to Guyana easier through direct flights to Ogle.
Notwithstanding those benefits, Secretary-General Carrington said that there was also the question of the facility’s contribution to the provision of adequate, safe and internationally competitive transport services, for the development and consolidation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
He posited, “The Airport by its location in relation to the capital city, Georgetown, would contribute to the essential feature of a Community – the co-mingling of peoples.” “That is what our Community is about – the co-mingling of its peoples – and certainly this development will greatly enhance the achievement of that objective,” the Secretary-General added.
He expressed appreciation to the European Union and the Government of South Korea for their “crucial assistance” in furthering the Project.
In addition, he commended the support of the Member States of CARIFORUM for their “understanding and support” which, he said, allowed the funding amounting finally to 1.8 million euros to be approved for the Project.
Secretary-General Carrington also called attention to the partnership government/private sector partnership which was instrumental in the propelling of the project.
“No praise can be too high for the President and Government of Guyana and the private sector organisation Ogle Airport Incorporated. This partnership in providing this airport development has been a clear indication of what the public and private sectors can achieve when they act in concert,” he stated.
At the same time, Secretary-General Carrington stressed the importance of the Infrastructure Fund for CARIFORUM, which he said, can assist the Region in addressing its physical infrastructure requirements particularly those related to the critical area of transportation.
He noted that plans were in train for an intra-regional ferry for the Southern Caribbean, which the Region hoped will attract funding from the European Union (EU).
