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.
This is part of the problem with people in positions of responsibility in this country. Who Mr. Green thinks is the Government? What is his part in the Government? Then the President wants to conform this man as the chief law enforcement officer in Guyana. And can’t give a straight answer to a simple question. No wonder we can’t stop the illegal stuff in the streets of Guyana.
Yeah who Mr. Greene thinks is the government, the folks that are controlling things the true decision makers would be the answer. How can he be responsible, last time I check holding a temporary position, does not afford you the decision making capabilities that is need to implement policy, you always have to “check with de boss man” that’s the government. I say confirm, provide resources let the police do policing.
Mack. I totally agree with you. I am outraged at Mr. Green’s response. If this our Top Cop, what about the ranks? God help Guyana.
my sentiments exactly. Apparently this guy doesn’t understand that he forms part of that same government.
Ther is nothing too technical to deal with here, SN said that the boats were fitted with life jackets but no one was wearing them at the time.
Pass a law that they must be worn at all times, or the boat operator and the passenger will be fined if found not wearing any.
Also make the boat seats with styrofoam cushions with handles, so that in a mishap the passengers can hold onto these as flotation devices.
Joe.
Here we’ve (the soon to be), highest ranking law enforcement officer in the Land looking totally clueless and out of touch of what is happening in his backyard and his only response to his Role in combating this illegal backtracking operation is to say “ That’s a very technical question”. Mr. Greene what is too technical to deal with? Is it the boats or the dispute over the use of the Corentyne River? If it’s the boats – that’s a no-brainer. Are you condoning this illegal practice Mr. Greene? If you’re – shame on you! For you to say it is the Government’s job is ludicrous – Who do you work for Mr. Greene? The last time I checked one of the Roles of the GPF is to arrest individuals involved in illegal activities – backtracking is an illegal activity – people are not declaring themselves at the proper port of departure. And to turn a blind eye to this practice is reneging on your oat to serve and protect the people of GY. Mr. Greene that same illegal route that you’re saying is not your responsibility is bring in the drugs and weapons that are killing our citizens. And it is one of several reasons that can be blamed for the escalation of the many guns crimes we’re reading in the news every day. IT IS YOUR RESPONSBILITY! YOU NEED TO SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP.
I am no defender of GREEN ,however, i do understand his poistion-You see my dear friend The river that the backrtacker uses are claimed by the Surinamese authorities so technically guyanese law enforcement authorities have no jurisdiction over it .hence they cannot ener the water to enforce any illegal activities.I
I remember an incident in the mid nineties where a known smuggler had his boat loaded with merchandice in the river- while Guyana customs watched but could not touch it and in the night the goods were loaded into smaller boat and smuggled into guyana thus robbing the govt of revenue.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Well said. Oh, do you who owns almost all, if not all of the speedboats???
SERVE and PROTECT? those words does not seem to exist in the vocabulary of the GPF. Talk about INTIMIDATION and TERRORIZE poor people
The poor people are afraid to speak up and some one has to do it for them.The GPF is arrogant and agressive. that’s is ther second nature a d that’s the way they SERVE and PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE.
The use of the backtrack service at Corriverton is a matter of economics.
The return crossing is about G$3000, gets you directly to Nikerie and can be done in the same day.
The ferry crossing is much more expensive, (you have to join it at Moleson Creek and drops you miles from where you want to go) and there is only one crossing per day.
This is why the backtrack service strives. The users and owners need to look at ways of making the crossing safer buy using proper equipment and the possibility of 2 or more boats going across together.
Of course this will increase the price.
While i am tempted to say the passengers have a choice, it is not really so since they cannot afford it and have to take the risk.
I call on the authorities to inspect and test the safety gears at the different crossings in Guyana immediately
Raymond.. thanks for the clear explanation. Perhaps what the commissioner is saying is that the govt does not want this to stop since it contributes to the economy of berbice. And there are no plans on the table for making the once a day legit boat more efficient.
You call out here in this forum? Can you do better than this my friend?
It is one thing to say that backtracking to Suriname is illegal, it is a whole different thing when the chief law enforcement officer of the country claims that it is too technical to be addressed. What that says to me, is that he has no intentions of seeing it stopped, and is not a priority, even though this is one of the main means of illegal guns and other activities enter the country.
WELL SAID RAYMOND-HOPE THE PEOPLE GET THE POINT–I USED THAT ROUTE AS WELLL AS THOUSAND OF OTHERS -THE SOLUTION IS THE DEMARCATION OF A ROUTE WHERE FISHING NETS ARE PROHIBITED
In a poor nation like ours where money is hard to get, saving a few $$ wouldn’t be bad so the back-track route has more advantages cheaper
so said Sr R. PERSAUD.,,,,,,,,,,,, A GOOD EXPLINATION,,,,,,,,,,
Any how it can still be controlled by the Government, using the same landings, but having the incoming and outgoing boats, monitored, for passengers safety. and also contraband. The revenue generated from this would be able to pay the salaries of the police…..
l fully agree with you, the backtrack crossing is a matter of convenience (for the criminals too).
l would normally be in Paramaribo by the time the official ferry departs Moleson Creek, when returning from Suriname you have to leave Paramaribo by 0400 h to catch the ferry on the other hand via the backtrack you can conduct you business and leave after noon to be in G’town before nightfall.
By the way l omitted the the torturous 41 KM (dam) road from South Drain to Nickerie junction which can take upwards of two hours to traverse at times in the rainy season but 45 minutes in the dry. l know the Surinamese gov’t has a project underway to remedy this – “the earlier the better”; that together with 2-3 trips per day by the ferry only then the backtrack route will not be viable.
I do agree with the point I am a very old friend of the Hopes, Mr. Hope chartered Roy for me in 2005 , I had nearly a full mini bus and I am still alive, The boats SHOULD BE PROPERLY EQUIPT and tha t’swhere the government should step in. for the safety and protection of the poeple of Guyana.
There is not enough job opportunities in guyana, if the back track boats can earn an honest living ” why should any one take bread out of their mouths when they cannot even give them biscuit?”the back track is cheaper and faster especially that part behind the Reno hotel.
The Government of Guyana should really allow both fishermen and boat operators to work onder legal rules and SAFETY regulations allow everyone to earn an honest living
Ok green dunks.. forget we are dealing with the backtracking. Let’s just pass a bill, like you all did the wiretapping, let’s make it illegal for speedboats carrying passengers to do so without FUNCTIONAL lifejackets, based on size they can only carry a certain weight, captains, etc must be trained, etc. No one is asking you to legalise the backtracking ……………… scientist
HAHAHAHA, Well said since they like passing bills.
This is so incompetent, you have the highest ranking official in our security department cannot answer simple questions,what is he doing there.Lives are lost and he refuses to investagate any part of this tragedy.Honestly Mr Greene is not fit to be the top man in any part of the GPF.He should be fired immediately.
If these comments are not enough proof to see how the GPF and who ever is incharged opperates I would not know what the world is waiting for.3/4 of the nation has fled the country the1/4 that is left might die of gevernment negligence in jail or some other tragidy.When would the Gyuana government realize that they are distroying Beautiful Guyana.
Its such a shame to stand by and just see how a beautiful nation is beeing distroyed in every possible way.
I pray that God shines his light on that once beautiful where I was born.Only god can grant those GPF’s and there leaders wisdon to lead guyana in the right direction
……..he soon leave …….he is at that age ……next in line……
I think that most people in authority, even those in Suriname, recognise that this is a vital service. We shouldn’t be looking to stop the flow; we should just be looking to monitor the flow to know what exactly is coming.
………do you history and you will see that this exercise started since back then…….the berbice revolt……..do you know how many bush people have family in plantation ras and plantation ithaca……..
Greene cannot touch this problem because the people that operate these illegal crossings and i mean all of them have the blessings of the govt for this illegality….any police that challenge them may be transferred to the interior…..lives are being lost and will continue to be lost ….notice no comment from the govt as yet if any it will be lukewarm…these are illegal operations and should be shut down…..but who will stop it ???NOT THE GOVT for sure,
what do you think about regular audition? the government and local citizens should work closer together. A strict controle of taxpayers money would make a big difference.50 plussers knows what wealth Guyana had . Where did it all go Why did our people flee and is still fleeing Guyana. Some of us gets the WILLIES
at the thought of retiring home. Why should it be that way while we still love our country dearly. One cannot depend on the Protection of the GPL. The GPL should work on gaining the respect of the citizen instead of using brute force and voilence. Change their aproach. A real Guyanese (GUYANESE TO THE BONES) IS FRIENDLY HOSPITABLE AND FUN LOVING. That’s how I knew BEAUTIFUL GUYANA.
Mr. Raymond, Canadian can cross the Niagara River and in minutes they are in the US. Should the people of Canada then set up a number of “back-track” boats to take people over to the States? My friend, the Guyana “back-track” crossing is an avenue for a lot of illegal activities. A lot of revenues in the form of Customs Duties are lost there. Saltbag Traders bring their supplies into Guyana and there is no method to properly examine and evaluate what comes in.
The other unsafe thing about crossing the Courantine River is that you are not taken straight across the river (I know about the river current factor), but instead you are taken by boat to a very far point north that is located on the eastern bank of the Courantine River. I do think it is about what is good for Mr. Bharrat, Auntie and Uncle Landing alone. It is what is good for The Republic of Guyana and its people in general.
The Government should make a statement where the police are concerned, so they can know where they, the police, stand. It does not seem right that the Government is maintaining that half of the river belongs to Guyana, and at the same time they are allowing Suriname’s Laws and License to apply there. Do you people want a Jimmy Carter to come and give you the river on a plate too?
Do you need CGX financial help here again to sort this one out?
Leo Rojo
http://www.gtrl.tv
It has already been sorted contrary to the posturing of Bharat and Carolyn.
The ICJ ruled that the border begins at the 10 degree line from the base of the marker at No. 66 sideline, anything east of that belongs to Suriname including the Corentyne River full stop.
Should Guyana challenge the current border arrangement at the level of the ICJ all that will happen is that it will reopen the question as to which is the source of the Corentyne River – Upper Kutari or the New River?
An adverse ruling could see Guyana losing sovereignty over the New River Triangle approx. 6,000 square miles of territory, what is needed is mature leadership instead of pandering to nationalism by shouting aggression.
Leave Suriname alone with the Corentyne river and sit down and negotiate user rights for Guyanese vessels / nationals in keeping with International & Surinamese Maritime regulations.
A lot of people are attacing the “back track”crossing no one had a gun to the passengers head and force them to join the boat. and how many guyanese and other nations did not enter America and Canada through some BACK TRACK”or the other.? How much drugs is not being peddled from south america to Europeand other parts of the world. so let give those poor people a SLACK the also have a family to feed it is the government duty to make sure the boat oporators have a wel equipt and safe vessel.
MR Green i was voiceing for you all the way, no task should be too diffucult for the police chief, sorry to say this but you should go, if you did not have the resources you could have ask our honourable president, i am sure he would provide it to you.again time for you to depart. blame it on yourself and the statement you made.
Not forgetting that thousands of Scarlet Macaws, “Creature” and “Amazon” Parrorts are smuggled in mesh cages from Guyana into Suriname by this route. Uncle Bharrat and Auntie Landing know exactly what I am speaking of. Destination : Europe via French Guiana.
Leo Rojo