On the eve of the one year anniversary of the GDF helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five servicemen, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo today revealed that when the final report on the crash is completed, it will be the Defence Board that will decide on its release and not the President. The Vice President also stated that if a decision is taken to make the report public, it will be the Minister responsible for the Aviation sector, Juan Edghill who will release it.

The Vice President’s statement came in response to National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia, indicating earlier this week that it will be the Commander in Chief, President Irfaan Ali who will decide on the release of the accident report.

“I spoke with President Ali and he said to me that the matter has not even yet gone to the defence board as yet and he has not indicated to anyone that he is the person to release or to give the final decision of this report. This report was done by the Civil aviation authority, it has a military, it is done in relation to a military accident. However, the civil aviation authority falls under a civilian minister,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

Mr. Jagdeo did not provide a timeline on the possible release of the final report, but said the Defence Board will have to deliberate on the contents of the report.

“I suspect that once the Defence Board discusses the matter, then the report will be released by the Minister who is responsible for civil aviation, so the report that the President will release the report tend to be a bit misleading,” the Vice President said.

A year ago, the country was plunged into mourning following the GDF helicopter crash. While five servicemen lost their lives, two others survived.

A preliminary report into the incident has been completed and has been sent to various stakeholders for comments.

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