Transport and aviation minister Glenys Hanna-Martin announced yesterday that Government will spend $655,000 on airport security upgrades over the next 18 months.
The Inter American Development Bank (IDB) has granted $443,000 toward the initiative and the government will cover the remainder. The first component of the upgrade, which is to be carried out by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), includes the development of a security certification programme for the Department of Civil Aviation and other law enforcement agencies, a review of security and emergency plans at the Lynden Pindling (Gangster) International Airport, and the training of maintenance officials at airports throughout the country.
The second element upgrade involves the expansion of databases that manage identification badges and vehicle passes, and the last component is security training for industry stakeholders. The Israel and Texasbased firm, International Security Defense Systems (ISDS), has been contracted for the security training.
“It should have the effect of upgrading and modernising our security systems in the country and it will comprise several components and the end result will be increased training of personnel and the acquisition and the enhanced administrative infrastructure for facilitating an effective, safe and secure security system,” Mrs Hanna-Martin told reporters at a press conference called to announce the initiative.
She added that the overhaul, which had already began, became necessary ” Post 9/11 (after the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York), when all countries had to, as a result of various International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandates, upgrade their security systems. And in the Bahamas where we have so many airports, we are peculiarly challenged because of that. We recently began the process of training and upgrading the security equipment on family island airports and this is just another phase in the same process,” she continued.
The transport and aviation minister said it was the government’s objective to have secure and sustainable security programmes in place at airports throughout the country. She noted that millions of dollars had already been spent for screening equipment and security training.
Acting IDB representative I. Sewberath Misser said his organisation was happy the government was using IATA and ISDS to strengthen its regulatory framework in the area of aviation security.
“The goal of the project is to ensure a safe and efficient air transport sector so that The Bahamas can capture the economic benefits derived from access to world markets,” he said. “The purpose of the project is to strengthen airport security through an improved regulatory framework, changes in procedures and policies, installation of required equipment, and training of critical security staff.”
Project Coordinator Jerry Hutehinson said it was important that The Bahamas complied fully with the ICAO-mandated upgrade, as failure to do so would result in penalties for the country’s civil aviation regime.
“ICAO issues what they call suggestive standards for airports,” Mr Hutchinson explained. “There are 18 annexes and it covers everything that you would do at an aerodrome on a daily basis: the air traffic control facilitation, security [and] all those sorts of things.
“Essentially it sets the standards, its sets the procedures and it tests these systems over time to ensure that minimum standards are being maintained.”
By RAYMOND KONGWA, Nassau Guardian Senior Reporter
