Despite two recent mishaps on the Corentyne River which claimed the lives of several persons through the continuing `backtrack’ speedboat operations between Guyana and Suriname, nothing is being done by those in authority to end this culture.
Questioned on the issue yesterday, Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene said that until the river border issue between Guyana and Suriname was settled, it would be difficult for the police to intervene.
Asked what role local law enforcement can play in dealing with the illegal speedboat service, he responded, “That’s a very technical question. You know that the speedboat service has to do with the Corentyne River. I would have a difficulty dealing with that at this point in time.”
Greene was speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the Junior Officers’ Course No. 18 yesterday. He said he knew that the government was looking at the issue in terms of the use of that river and “until that is settled it would be difficult for us the police to take a front role in that because those boats are licensed on the other side”.
It was subsequently pointed out to Greene that the boat operators are Guyanese who dock their vessels on our shores and openly advertise their illegal business. He then claimed that when people are caught in that operation they are dealt with.
Asked about the possibility of the operators on the Guyana side being stopped, he said that was a question for the government.
Last Friday, a boat carrying eight persons capsized in the Corentyne River after the propeller became entangled with fishing seines. Six people, including the Guyanese owner/captain of the vessel, Roy Ramdass drowned. The boat was on its way to Guyana.
Last year February, two women drowned after the vessel they were in capsized while they were travelling ‘backtrack’ from Corriverton to Suriname. The boat was owned by a Surinamese known only as `Amit’.
Following that incident, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee had urged Guyanese travelling to Suriname to use the legal Corentyne crossing.
Judging from the responses of our bloggers, Greene’s response was correct. This is not a situation where the issues are clear cut. We have problems with the legal transportation facilities, problems with the modes of transportation alternatives, laws still to be made and enforced regarding the usage of life jackets, issues regarding income for those involved in facilitating this trade, etc. etc. If everything already in place were adequate, we would be having another conversation but as he said, it’s “too technical”. All put, this is quite a tragedy with really no one to blame. The victims were just trying to get along by making do with what they have. Unfortunately the consequences were too dire.
My heart goes out to the victims and hopefully some of the alternatives mentioned here would work its way into the to-do list of the government. Thanks to the folks who illumniated us with the going’s on at the Guyana/Suriname border.
Addy
Its rediculous to say that the back-track route is technical. Apart from being illegal its very unsafe so all the Commish has to do is DO HIS DUTY and enforce the laws.But by saying it is technical all he is saying is that he is another incompetent piece of a very incompent and heartless administration.
What law is it that he has to enforce? The Police can only take action on any wrong doing whilst the perpetrators are on land in Guyana, they have no authority on the water. In any case what are these operators doing illegally? Aren’t they licensed by the Surinamese Authorities? If there is any blame to be doled out it should go to the Surinamese for allowing the boats to operate with overload and inadequate safety equipment.
I guess the COP is not that intelligent , instead of saying that the matter is ‘technical”, he should have said he had no jurisdiction in the matter……….
Oh what a lame excuse Mr. Greene!!!!!!
Mr. Rohee you have to do much more than ‘urge the people to use the legal crossing’ sir. You have to put some system in place to assure they use the legal crossings, and beside don’t we lose revenue as a result of illigal crossing?
I see a killing here for somebody who can supply loads of 5-gallon buckets.
ImagineGuyana has no control of none of it’s borders,i mean no part of the entire country.Who r we fooling, the Brazillians do what ever they feel, Suriname does what ever they feel ,also the Venezesulans do the same.
This is what happens when a people have no respect for themselves or their country
When the head of the household is weak, the members of the household become a mockery to their neighbours!!!
……..you got it and this is what the ppp governmentis happy with back in the day guyanese new a strangers living in guyana…….immigration was serious with people coming into guyana……….but this pourous border will back fire on this government with this all are welcome type attitude…….