GOGEC slams SGCC chair’s remarks on New River Triangle, demands apology

The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) on Monday said that it strongly disagrees with Chair of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), Dr Vishnu Doerga’s recent statement regarding the New River Triangle.
“We find it deeply concerning that Dr Doerga suggested an equivalence between Guyana’s sovereign claim to the territory and Suriname’s educational narrative, thereby failing to uphold Guyana’s internationally recognised territorial integrity unequivocally,” GOGEC said in a statement.
According to GOGEC, the New River Triangle is and remains an integral part of Guyana, as affirmed by internationally recognised legal processes adding that any suggestion that its status is subject to differing “beliefs” is misleading and does not reflect the binding nature of Guyana’s sovereignty over the territory.
“GOGEC firmly supports the stance taken by the Government of Guyana that all Guyanese must remain vigilant in defending our territorial boundaries. We categorically reject any remarks that undermine this position or give credence to Suriname’s unfounded claims.”
In light of the gravity of this issue, GOGEC called for Dr Doerga to issue a formal apology and to provide a clear reaffirmation of Guyana’s sovereignty over the New River Triangle. “Dr Doerga must take responsibility for ensuring that his statements do not contribute to ambiguity on such a critical national matter,” it said.
GOGEC said it remains committed to safeguarding Guyana’s economic and territorial interests and calls on all stakeholders to stand firm in upholding the nation’s sovereignty.
Guyana has since registered objections with the Surinamese authorities over the inclusion of the New River Triangle in a Surinamese map that was recently on display at an International Business Conference which was held in Paramaribo, Suriname.