Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 18, 2018 News
Chairman of Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) Michael Correia has filed legal proceedings for libel against Kaieteur News. Correia has filed for damages in excess of G$5M. The libel proceedings have been filed in the High Court by the law firm, Fitzpatrick, De Caires & Karran. This lawsuit stems from a series of articles done by this newspaper that highlighted the operations of the Correias.
This newspaper reported that The Correia family, having full control over the daily management of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, has reportedly been using its position of strength to stifle the operations of aviation companies using that facility.
The Correias own three companies that operate from Ogle, these are: Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services (CAMS), Correia Mining Company (CMC) and Trans Guyana Limited. CAMS provides fuel for aircraft at the airport.
Recently, former government Minister Manzoor Nadir spoke of the generosity of the state in leasing the lands to OAI and contributing to the development of the port. He said that as a result, the nation should be benefitting more.
OAI’s Public Relations Consultant, Kit Nascimento, later responded, saying that the state did not invest a penny. He said, “Phase I of the development under the Lease Agreement was successfully completed in 2009, when scheduled passenger operations commenced. Not a penny of state money was invested.”
However, the facts state different. The Government of Guyana, during the reign of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) expended just about $30M to relocate squatters during phase one of the airport project.
Phase Two was financed by a grant of €1.5M from the European Development Fund to the Government of Guyana, which was converted into a soft loan to OAI with a generous long term repayment schedule.
The Government also made significant investment in the Air Traffic Control tower to the value of $50M. Further, the government expended $187M to relocate the NCN tower from Sparendaam in order that the airport could be cleared for international flights
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure resurfaced the road from Railway Embankment to Ogle Airport.
All the government services provided, such as the Guyana Fire Service, Air Traffic Control, Customs, Immigration and Police are all funded by the State.
As recent as two months ago, the Guyana Energy Agency installed solar panels on the terminal building at the Airport.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]