OGLE International Airport (OIA) has been renamed the Eugene F Correia International Airport in honour of Guyana’s first Minister of Communications, Shipping and Aviation.President David Granger made the declaration on Monday, but the National Air Transport Association (NATA) continues to register its trenchant objection on ground that such a move will create an even more anti-competitive environment at the airport.

At a recent press conference, NATA sought to discredit the contributions made by the late minister, contending that he had served during a sad period of the country’s history — when the Constitution was suspended in 1953.

President David Granger unveils the plaque to officially rename the Ogle Airport the Eugene F Correia International Airport

But President Granger, during the re-commissioning ceremony, cleared the air on the life of Eugene F Correia. Describing him as a visionary, the President said that Correia, a born Buxtonian, was a nationalist who not only contributed to the development of the country’s aviation sector, but was involved in the struggle for Independence.

Flipping back the pages of history to November 2, 1956, President Granger pointed out that Correia, at the level of the Legislative Council, had underscored the importance of hydropower to the development of Guyana, as he had endorsed the then Hydropower Electric Bill.
“Cheap power…is the road to success and development,” the President posited, as he quoted Correia.

In the Aviation Sector, Correia, a qualified private pilot who had played a critical role in the area of mining, had also pushed for Guyanese to take ownership of British Guiana Airways.

It was explained that, in 1955, the Colonial Government had purchased the privately-owned British Guiana Airways, and it was agreed that the company would have continued to operate the aviation services to allow for a smooth transition, but the company did not honour this agreement.

Two years later, in 1957, the Government had presented the Legislative Council with an agreement it had entered into with the British West Indian Airways to manage and advise the domestic aviation sector; but Correia had objected.

“We have already developed a good domestic service in BG (British Guiana)…and in my opinion we should keep it and run it ourselves.” Correia was quoted as saying.

He had served at the level of the Legislative Council, Legislative Assembly and the National Assembly. In 1946, he served in Parliament as a member of the Legislative Council’s Advisory Committee on the Hinterland; and in May 1953, he was elected to represent the Mazaruni-Potaro District.

Subsequent to the suspension of the Constitution in 1953, Correia was elected a Member of Parliament in 1964, and then in 1973. It was in December 1964 that he was appointed Minister of Communications, a position he held until 1968, when he was appointed Minister of Works and Hydraulics.

Notably, in 1965, the people of Buxton had presented Correia with a congratulatory document in recognition of his contributions to the welfare of ordinary Guyanese, particularly the miners.

After laying out the facts about Correia, President Granger made it clear that his proposal to rename the airport was done in confidence.

NOT COERCED
“I was not coerced, I was not lobbied; it was simply to recognise the character of the man,” the President said.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who was among Ministers of Government present, said Eugene Correia was a true son of the soil, whose record all should be proud of.

A section of the gathering at the renaming of the Ogle Airport on Monday

“In 2016, the name Eugene Correia may not be well-known, but in his time, Mr Correia was a pilot; he was a former Minister of Government, serving in the post of Minister of Communications, with responsibility for aviation; he was a contributor to Guyana’s development,” Patterson posited.

Unfortunately, he said, the renaming of the airport did not gain the full support of those in the aviation sector.

“Since its creation, this airport has grown by leaps and bounds. No one could have predicted the ways in which it has flourished from a local hub that served hinterland communities to a regional one that further opened up Guyana to the rest of the Caribbean. Each year, the Ogle Airport shuttles thousands of persons to their destinations. For many, the services provided from this airport are crucial and incomparable,” he posited.

ONLY A NAME CHANGE
He said that while the name of the airport has changed, its functions will remain the same, emphasising that it will still provide a means for those in hinterland communities to bolster economic activity.

“This airport will still provide a link for access to key services; this airport will still impact lives in big ways,” he declared.

Currently, the operation of the airport is under review, with emphasis on the lease arrangement between the Government and the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI). An independent legal firm is reviewing the lease.

“I give my firm assurance that this separate exercise will be done transparently, and the renaming of the airport will not affect the outcome or direction of Government in this matter,” Minister Patterson said.

He added: “The reason for this review is obvious: this Government has long recognised the importance of supporting domestic operations, which account for about 85 per cent of aviation traffic in Guyana. Operators who oppose today’s renaming have complained that this act will give an unfair advantage to a specific operator. Their concerns cannot be dismissed as something without any merit; therefore, this will also be addressed during our review process.”

The Public Infrastructure Minister reassured that the concerns raised have not fallen on deaf ears. “We assure that today’s renaming will not ‘drive the final nail in the coffin’ of those who feel that they have become disadvantaged.”

While acknowledging that the airport at Ogle is a private company, he said it is managing a Government asset. As such, its management should be dealt with in an equitable manner.

“Whether it is through the redesign of the company’s website or the construction of a shorter taxiway for the majority of the operators, we will work with all stakeholders to ensure that a satisfactory consensus is reached,” he promised.

Guyana has signed on to the effective implementation of the standards and recommended practices established to ensure the safe and orderly development of civil aviation.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ogle airport, Michael Correia Jr, strongly defended the Correia name. Since the proposal to rename the airport was made in 2015, the Correia Group of Companies has been heavily criticised by NATA.

Correia Jr lashed out at NATA, particularly at the Chief Executive of Roraima Airways Inc, Captain Gerry Gouveia. While acknowledging that the airport has evolved tremendously, Correia Jr said it was achieved with minimum support from Gouveia.

“Gouveia is certainly right that this airport, under its current management and direction, is most certainly attracting investment. Roraima Airways and all of the other operators, who have contributed little or nothing to its development, are decidedly cashing in on this investment,” he posited.

It was pointed out that while Roraima Airways has expanded its building and fleet of aircraft recently, using some US$2.5 million; its investment in the airport is US$83,000 or 2.2 per cent of total equity in the airport.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; Minister of Telecommunications, with responsibility for Tourism, Cathy Hughes; OAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anthony Mekdeci, Eddy Grant and the immediate family of Eugene F Correia were among those who attended the ceremony.