| Due to recent exchanges between Insel Air and Immigration Officers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport which stemmed from eight Indian nationals who were refused entry into Guyana’s jurisdiction,Kosuke Fukudome Cubs Jersey, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix yesterday issued a statement outlining the procedures of ensuring the security of the borders of Guyana.Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix during yesterday’s press conference.Speaking at a press conference, Felix noted that his Ministry impacts activities at every level of Government in as much as it impacts the lives of each citizen, and is obligated to ensure the security of Guyana’s borders is enshrined in the Immigration Act: Chapter 14:02 of the Laws of Guyana. He emphasised the necessity for due diligence is critical as the David Granger-led Government settles into its role as gatekeepers of the nation’s security.Felix asserted that previously there had been a permissive approach that had allowed for some of the recent problems to be encountered. This, he said,Melky Cabrera White Sox Jersey, needs to be address immediately to ensure the functions of the National Aviation Security and Facilitation Committee is up to standard.On August 6, last,David Price Red Sox Jersey, an outgoing Insel Air flight 81-791 to Aruba and other connecting destinations was cancelled and left grounded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after the pilot indicated to immigration that he could not accommodate eight Indian nationals who were refused entry to Guyana since July 19.Felix in addressing this issue considered it unfortunate,Joe Maddon Cubs Jersey, citing that the nationals did not follow the appropriate procedures and the airline delivered them to these shores without the requisite documents.He further condemned the actions of the airline for the manner in which they handled the situation.According to the Minister,Babe Ruth Red Sox Jersey, the action taken by Insel Air was unsatisfactory, because it could’ve been resolved in shorter time frame.“Forthwith, the Ministry is in the process of reviewing its systems with the aim of making them more effective. At this time it is deemed necessary to disallow entry to the country, both to be fair and non-partisan, and to send a strong message to anyone who thinks that they can take advantage of our legendary hospitality.“We will welcome to our country anyone who demonstrates that they have proper documentation and necessary funds to support themselves while here, and will not condone any airline that reneges on their responsibility of ensuring their travellers are suitably documented for entry to Guyana.”“This was unsatisfactory… in a day or two this should’ve been resolved, particularly in a case where airlines fly in the route two to three times a week,” the Minister opined.He added, “What I plan to do is explore possibilities to have the various contact points,Joe Crede White Sox Jersey, so if similar issues arise we are on the same page. There ought to be contact points to resolve such issue, because no way should we have waited sixteen days to have this resolved, it is unsatisfactory”Managing Director of the Roraima Airways, Captain Gerald ‘Gerry’ Gouveia went to great lengths to explain to this publication that Insel Air Aruba and Insel Air Curaçao are different.He said while it was the Insel Air Curaçao carrier that brought the men on July 19, it was the Aruba carrier that was being bombarded by Immigration to facilitate their deportation even though they are two different carriers.Gouveia said the men would have travelled through several destinations before landing in Guyana.Though they had no visa, Gouveia explained that many Indian nationals travel to this part of the world without visas and would be issued with Visas-on-Arrival usually after a successful interview with an Immigration Officers. It is the right of the Immigration Officer to refuse landing, Gouveia said.To this, Minister Felix explained that in order for a Visa-on-arrival to be issued, the ministry would have had to be notified prior to the arrival of the men, in which they would have gone through various procedures before immigration would’ve been informed to issue visas. |
