Today was supposed to usher in a new era of safety in domestic travel. Following the hijacking incident on April 17th, the Belize Airport Authority - which is responsible for managing and administering airports - fast tracked plans to outsource security and passenger screening for the municipal airports. Since the hijacking, police had been doing it - but as of this morning it was supposed to be taken up by private firms. Here's how it was explained on April 30th:
Nigel Carter, Director - Civil Aviation
"They have currently engaged a private security company with the intent of this company providing aviation security at the different domestic air drones where commercial air service is."
But, the devil is always in the details and we asked the CEO for Civil Aviation who's getting those contracts:
Jules Vasquez
"Are you able to say who got the contract for securing the various airfields and aerodromes throughout the country? We know that it went live very suddenly and I am told that a preferred person has received it. Are you able to see who has that contract?"
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation
"No, I am not. Belize Airport Authority is the entity that gave that contract. At the time, the chairman was the one that executed that contract and we just appointed a new board and we will have a meeting on Tuesday and we will find out."
Jules Vasquez
"But you are the CEO of all matters, you should know that? You are the CEO of Civil Aviation?"
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez
"The Port Authority is a statutory board?"
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Civil Aviation
"It is a statutory board and has its own board and general manager, no acting general manager."
Garcia later told us that she checked and the contracts were awarded to "ISECURITY" out of Orange Walk and Four Diamond Security. Sources tell 7News that 12 of the 18 "ISECURITY" personnel failed their basic security training at the Phillip Goldson International Airport last week. Nonetheless, the company took over passenger screening at San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Belize City this morning. We are told they showed up without metal detectors, and did not demonstrate the ability to perform pat down searches. Because of this, we are told, today Police Officers continued to do passenger screening for domestic flights.
According to his Facebook post, "ISECURITY"is owned by Ian Cal, former PUP Deputy Mayor for Orange Walk and consummate PUP Northern caucus insider.
There are currently four private firms with trained personnel that provide security at the PGIA - but, we are told none of them were invited to bid for the contract.
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