Piracy
…refuses to buy transponders
In light of the recent deadly pirate attack that left four fishermen dead, five injured and 11 still missing, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said the fishermen are reluctant to install modern tracking and emergency equipment on their boats despite calls for the industry to be modernised.
Ramjattan made the statement at a press conference on Friday at his party’s headquarters to discuss their achievements and shortcomings on the third anniversary of being in Government. He noted that he visited the fisherfolk at Rosignol, and Numbers 43 and 66 Villages, Corentyne, where he explained the need for them to install transponders and radio sets on their boats to enable tracking and proper response in the event of an attack.
“They don’t want to buy the transponders. I told them also, there is the need for radio sets so if they are under attack they can beep in and the nearest Police Station the alarm will go off. They don’t want to buy that. I now feel what we will probably have to do is get some monies for this that we can loan to them so that they can pay back in instalments. That is a new method,” Ramjattan said.
Ramjattan reported that the fishermen are refusing to purchase the equipment, which costs approximately $100,000. He then proposed that Government pay for the equipment and then the fishermen would repay the Government through a pre-agreed payment plan.
“We have to modernise our fleet but with the old and ancient attitudes of some of these fishermen, we are not going to get there unless Government stumps up I suppose. But to get a transponder set that could by virtue of the techniques and technology we have now, we could immediately know which boat was where but they (fishermen) do not want that. It comes up about $100,000 only and if it is for your safety and security, you do not want to spend that well then I am at a loss and I would not be in a position to help except by giving the loan, buying it for them and then taking payments in (instalments),” the Minister explained.
The Minister said he is baffled as to why the fisherfolk would put their lives in danger when they can afford to modernise their fleets.
“Have you ever seen the houses of some of these fishermen? Have you ever noticed how many cars they have and vans they have and the drinking?… They have the monies and if you can’t spend $100,000 to affix some mechanism on your boats so that it could secure you, well then come on,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon at his post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday told media operatives that Government will be heightening its counter-piracy activities on local waters which include aerial surveillance. He underscored the need to pay greater attention to the security of fisherfolk out in the ocean, while adding that Government will be equipping the Coast Guard with as much resources that are available.
On April 27, 2018, four boats were attacked by a group of men who brutalised the occupants then threw them overboard. Two days later, another boat was attacked and the captain was killed. The crew is still missing. Those identified as missing include Ramesh Sanchara, Ganesh Persaud, Vickey Persaud, Glenroy Jones, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony, and Tiaknauth Mohabir. The bodies that were recovered are yet to be positively identified while five persons have survived the attack. On Thursday, another body washed ashore at the Number 63 Beach and has been identified as Gavin Outar.
So far, Guyanese Police have charged the alleged mastermind, 38-year-old Nakool Manohar of Number 43 Village, Corentyne. He appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday and was accused of committing an armed robbery on fishing vessel Sir Narine; the property of Danishwar Reddy, called “Smallie” between April 1 and 30, 2015 while being in the company of others.
During the robbery, Manohar and his accomplices relieved several fishermen of a 240 horsepower outboard engine valued $1.8 million. In addition, Manohar was also accused of stealing fishing vessel Captain Vikash estimated at $2.3 million, the property of Vikash Balkissoon.
Meanwhile, relatives of the missing fishermen are complaining about the treatment meted out to them by Surinamese authorities, since they are not allowed to view the recovered bodies of the men. Additionally, both Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan led separate teams to the Dutch-speaking country where they met with the aggrieved families and Surinamese authorities to discuss the way forward with possible areas for collaboration.
Motion in Parliament
On Thursday, the Surinamese Government came under attack by its Opposition for the way it handled the attack on Guyanese fishermen in their jurisdiction. It resulted in the passage a motion in Parliament to provide assistance, among other thing, to the aggrieved parties.
