Khan: Piarco alert downgraded

WORKS and Transport Minister Franklyn Khan yesterday said that the alert status at Piarco International Airport has been downgraded but the security agencies remain vigilant against any threat against the airport. Last month, the airport was shut down for eight hours after a series of bomb threats were called in. Following those threats, Khan announced a heightened level of security at Piarco. No bombs were found nor has anyone been arrested to date for that incident.

Asked about the current alert levels at Piarco following an awards ceremony in Westmoorings, the Minister said: “Medium. Medium means there is still extra vigilance.” Khan said the security measures at Piarco worked very well and were the product of ongoing collaboration between the Government and the United States Department of Homeland Security. Asked whether Prime Minister Patrick Manning formalised a draft bilateral air services agreement between TT and Nigeria when he attended last week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Nigeria, Khan said he was uncertain but hoped to be apprised by the weekend.

On the level of traffic violations in the country to date, Khan said: “If you deal with traffic violations it will help significantly with other more serious offences. Most crimes are committed in cars and if you get more vigilant on the traffic offences, you will be surprised to see the impact that you have on serious crimes.” The Minister urged TT’s corporate citizens to assist in reducing road accidents over the Christmas holidays by insisting upon a designated driver system at any function they hold. Khan added that December is the month “that attracts the highest number of accidents.”

The Minister said an incident at Piarco involving a BWIA Tobago Express plane had nothing to do with the quality of the airport’s runway and the matter is being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority. Khan, who is acting Energy Minister, said he was scheduled to meet yesterday evening with local contractors to discuss the quality of local aggregate. The Minister said Government was not considering the full-scale importation of quarrying materials into TT.