Thieves strike installation of CJIA navigational aid

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:01 by GxMedia

The installation of critical equipment at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA),Timehri has hit a snag following the theft of fuel and power-related equipment, according to well-placed sources.

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulfikar Mohammed confirmed that small amounts of generator fuel were stolen from the site. He, however, said that no equipment was stolen.  The theft, which was discovered earlier this week, was being investigated by the police, he said.

Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com) was told batteries and chargers were stolen from the site where Very High Frequency Radio Omni-directional Range (VOR) equipment is being installed on the airside of the airport. The VOR, a critical piece of equipmemt, aids in giving the aircraft departing and arriving directional guidance.

The fuel, batteries and chargers were being used by technicians who are installing the new VOR navigational aid. A source at the airport on Friday said that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) administration at the Control Tower resorted to borrowing a portable generating set recently in order to have works continue on the VOR.

It was noted, however, that Wednesday morning when technical staff were making arrangements to ferry the generator to the VOR site it was discovered that the battery unit was missing.

Reports are that the police were called in and there were suspicions that  worker at the airport might be connected to the recent thefts.

Police were expected to question a number of persons familiar with the air side operations in connection.