New Security Committee for North Eleuthera International Airport

1st from Left - Lorraine Armbrister - Under Secretary of Civil Aviation, 3rd from Left, the Hon. W.A. Branville McCartney, 4th from Left - Brenda Colebrooke - Island Administrator for North Eleuthera, far Right - Ivan Cleare - Deputy Director of Civil Avi

On Thursday, May 22, 2008, Minister of Civil Aviation, the Hon. W.A. Branville McCartney and a team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation descended on North Eleuthera. His party included Pat Rolle( New Director of CA), Ivan Cleare ( Deputy Director), Lorraine Armbrister ( Under Secretary for CA), Wendall Carey (Security Inspector) and Randy Butler.

Theo Neilly (North Eleuthera Airport Manager) and Brenda Colebrooke (North Eleuthera Island Administrator) greeted the minister and his team as they arrived and toured the airport.

The minister met with security personnel and airport staff to (1) bring them up to speed on rules and regulations being enforced and (2) form the new Security Committee.

“This committee,” Min. McCartney explained, “will consist of the NE Island Administrator, the Airport Manager, a Customs official, an Immigration official, and a representative from the Ministry of Tourism.” The minister stressed the importance of forming the committee and enforcing these new regulations in order to be in compliance with international security standards.

Theo Neilly - NE Airport Manager

“It is necessary by law to form this committee and upgrade security [standards and procedures] at all international airports in The Bahamas to comply with agencies such as the FAA.” He continued, noting that the statute of law calling for these upgrades in airport security had been on the law books since 1991, a decade before the tragedy of 9/11, but has yet to be acted on until now.

 “The new committee will be answerable to the new Security Council in Nassau,” said Minister McCartney. “It will be a reflection of the committee in Nassau and

 will give it [the Security Council] information as to what is needed.” Minister McCartney whose roots are deeply planted in Tarpum Bay and Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, always enjoys visiting the Island of Freedom. Eleuthera was his fourth stop following Cat Island, Exuma and Abaco. The minister also made mention of plans to implement a number of new programs including the Airport Security Program. Next, the minister and his team will be heading to San Salvador with the same purpose and anticipates having all international airports in The Bahamas onboard within the next few months.

Wendall Carey - Security Inspector	Pat Rolle - New Director of Civil Aviation