Latest update November 13th, 2024 1:00 AM
Residents seek remedy for cows on Port Kaituma airstrip
Residents of Port Kaituma, Region one are lamenting the state of the roadways in their community and the haphazard way the area’s airstrip is being cleaned and maintained as cattle stroll and roam the area unhindered.
Cows grazing on the Port Kaituma airstrip
The residents who spoke to Kaieteur News told the publication that proper care is not being taken of the community roads, neither the airstrip, since the person tasked with the job is shortchanging the work. The residents claim that cows roam the airstrip at will, thereby presenting a hazard to pilots attempting to land.
“Pilots will always have problems with cows being on the runway when they are ready to land the plane,” one resident said.
The resident alleged that the person contracted to clean the airstrip area holds important positions in the community.
“The person who gets the contract to weed the surrounding of the airstrip is only weeding one rod on both sides of the tarmac when the entire place used to be cleaned by the person who last had the contract,” the resident alleged.
He claimed that the community’s named Interim Management Committee (IMC) chairman or her husband usually clear the area.
The IMC chairman is also the chairman of the Port Kaituma Power and Light.
Residents have stated also that the IMC chairman is not paying much attention to the extremely poor roads in the community. They are seeking the intervention of the government into the matter. The poor maintenance of the airstrip is also a matter of concern.
Earlier in the year, a Cessna 206 which is owned and operated by the Air Services Limited (ASL) Company plunged into a barbed wire fence on the Paramakatoi airstrip after veering off the runway. It was alleged that cows were in the vicinity of the airstrip and contributed to poor safety at the location.
Civil aviation authorities claimed however, that cows were not on the airstrip and ASL explained the misinformation.
The GCAA had noted that Advisory Circular on Standard Operating Procedures at Uncontrolled Aerodromes was issued to the industry in September, 2013 and describes actions to be taken by pilots to ensure that proper assessment of conditions at the airstrip is made before landing.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A presidential display of “Project Management”
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- So, there I was, blissfully dreaming about cappuccinos and tropical sunsets, when I heard... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
