Shed boats are dangerous crossing the Essequibo mouth

Dear Editor,

The Supenaam-Parika speedboat operators would like Minister of Tourism, Mr Manniram Prashad, to intervene on our behalf. Minister Robeson Benn came to Parika last Tuesday, January 20, and informed us that we should put a shed on our boats, and that he would be back on Friday, January 23, to have a meeting. It was not a meeting, it was a demand. His attitude was unsympathetic; he told us if we couldn’t afford it, we should pack up and go. We the speedboat owners and operators know the dangers of having shed boats crossing the mouth of the Essequibo River. We tried to have a civil conversation with the minister, but he did not listen; he said his words were final. We are inviting the media to take a tour with us when the river is at its best.

Yours faithfully,
Marcia N Smith
On behalf of the Supenaam-
Parika speedboat owners/operators

Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Minister Robeson Benn for any comments he might wish to make.