Government On Airport, Fencing & Finance
The Government has moved to clarify issues surrounding reports on yesterday’s airport security breach, with Aaron Adderley, the Airport General Manager saying today that “The airport will always have significant capital requirements, both airside and inside the terminal”, and that “capital works, inclusive of maintenance is a standard line item in the airport budget.”
Mr Adderely is further quoted as saying the airport facility is currently in the process of replacing areas of the fencing bordering the 600 acre facility, and this work was ongoing well before yesterday’s incident.
Yesterday the airport was shut down for hours, due to a security breach in which a 31-year-old man was spotted on the tarmac appearing to be trying to gain some form of access to a plane. The man was arrested, and the planes were searched and cleared. ZBM reporter Gary Moreno ran a report last night demonstrating how he was able to walk through the gaps in the fencing onto the tarmac.
Pat Gordon-Pamplin, Shadow Minister for Works & Engineering commented on the reports of the airport’s general manager saying they did not have “the financial resources to fix openings in the airport fence all at once,” saying the Government could be jeopardizing Bermuda’s reputation.
The full statement follows below:
The Ministry of Tourism and Transport said today that it takes the safety and security of the L.F. Wade International Airport “very seriously”, and as such moved to clarify current commentary circulating in the media regarding yesterday’s airport security breach.
And in response to discussion regarding capital funding for security upgrades, Aaron Adderley, General Manager said, “The airport will always have significant capital requirements, both airside and inside the terminal. It should be noted that the airport facility is currently in the process of replacing areas of the fencing bordering the facility, and this work was ongoing well before yesterday’s incident.
“As a further note, capital works, inclusive of maintenance is a standard line item in the airport budget, these funds are used, amongst other things to repair the perimeter fence line, which is often damaged by hurricanes and winter storms. The fence encloses an area that is over 600 acres in size, nearly one tenth the size of Bermuda’s total land mass, and replacing it completely is a significant undertaking.
“That said the management and staff of the airport do all that they can in terms of refurbishment work to address the most susceptible areas. The Ministry will continue to prioritize maintenance projects and comply with all regulatory requirements as our utmost focus is ensuring that all our borders, including our airport borders, are safe, secure and protected.”
Excuses, always excuses. That’s true of all governments, and almost anyone when you call them out on their questionable behaviour. I would be more sympathetic –that’s to say, sympathetic at all– if Dr. Brown and his inner circle didn’t have a lot to answer for regarding their overspending, and how much of it is frivolous. Instances like this show clearly how little regard certain members of the ruling party have for their country’s wellbeing.