Georgetown: Guyana and Suriname have expressed concerns about the issue of piracy at sea with avenues being discussed among Members of Parliament on how to tackle this issue.
Piracy was high on the agenda during a four-day visit by members of Guyana’s National Assembly to the National Assembly of the neighbouring country.
It was noted that the issue of piracy was common to both countries with reference made to the prevalence of piracy in the Corentyne River. After discussing the severity of piracy with particular emphasis on the effects on fishermen, the meeting proffered that there be collaboration between the law enforcement agencies of both countries with emphasis on patrolling targeted areas. It was put forward that the countries should engage in dialogue at the national level.
Piracy has been a sore issue for fishermen, especially in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). At the beginning of the year, the Marine Wing of the Guyana Police Force was presented with five boats, costing some $78 million, , by the former Administration, in an effort to boost the department’s capacity to effectively police coastal areas in the fight against piracy and drug smuggling activities.
When the new Administration came into office, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had begun looking at ways to address the growing piracy situation. Among the proposals that were being considered to deal with this scourge was to allow fishermen to carry arms while out at sea. However, many of the fishermen were not too keen on the idea and requested the implementation of stronger patrol systems instead.
Meanwhile, during the visit, a number of meetings were held between the two Speakers and their delegations where views were exchanged for the improvement of the workings of the National Assemblies of the two countries.
Visits were also made to several areas of interest, including the coastal preservation initiative at Wegnaar Zee and the refinery operations of the State Oil Company, Staatsolie at Tout Lie Fout.
Climate change and rise in sea levels
The delegations noted that Suriname and Guyana faced the same problems with regard to climate change and the rise in sea levels. The Guyanese delegation presented an overview of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) – Guyana’s vision to promoting economic development while combating climate change. The delegations, noting the similarity of geography, agreed that the LCDS would be a useful initiative for Suriname to implement. It was agreed that both countries should continue dialogue and collaborate to address these issues at the international level.
Trafficking in Persons
It was also noted that Trafficking in Persons (TIP) was another problem that greatly affected the neighbouring countries, being more prevalent in the interior of both. The delegations outlined initiatives undertaken by the respective countries to curb this problem, including the establishment of a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) unit and the work of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) in Guyana.
The meeting suggested that both countries look to create more jobs and opportunities for individuals who may end up in these situations, and ensure the continuous exchange of information between both countries regarding this problem so that efforts were known internationally.
Finalisation of the draft contact plan
The meeting agreed that the draft contact plan should be finalised which will see both Assemblies entering into continuous consultations to address the various issues and challenges faced, and the opportunities that their cooperation can provide. The meeting further agreed that the Guyana delegation would submit the document to the appropriate Committee of the National Assembly for examination and amendment, and amended if necessary, before being returned to the Surinamese delegation. Suriname’s delegation will then peruse the plan and arrange for it to be translated. The final document, having the agreement of both National Assemblies, will be signed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana
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