Georgetown: Despite there being a legal route for ferry travel from Moleson Creek to Suriname, Guyanese have, for years, preferred the ‘back-track’ route when travelling to or from that neighbouring country.
Minister Winston Felix of the Ministry of Citizenship disclosed that Government is seeking to create newer points of entry and exit for travel to or from Suriname, thereby obviating the need for backtracking routes.
He said that Government would examine the issue and see what benefits can be derived from establishing new points of entry and exit in regard to travel to or from Suriname.
With regard to Guyanese being stigmatised when travelling abroad, especially to Caribbean countries, Felix pointed out that when citizens leave Guyana, they must comply with the laws of the country to which they are going; because, if they do not, the authorities in those countries have a right to take appropriate action.
Asked about the ‘Guyanese benches’ in some countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, he said there have been “horror stories” regarding the arrival of Guyanese nationals at the points of entry and their being treated unfairly. Felix said once Guyanese create immigration offences in those countries, it unfortunately stigmatizes all Guyanese.
Felix pointed out that the Guyana Government should be treating nationals of other countries the same way its nationals are being treated abroad — rounding them up and having them deported -– but the Guyana Government does not adopt that approach.
He said Guyanese who have overstayed their time in other countries are promptly detained and sent back to Guyana, and those who have committed criminal offences are also sent back after they would have served their sentences.
Felix disclosed that the Government is hoping to establish linkages with other countries to work out arrangements to receive Guyanese citizens who are facing deportation. He added that linkages with counterparts will be created to work out arrangements which would inform the Guyana Government of its citizens who are in process of being sent back home because of their illegal presence in another country.
The minister said, “We ought to be able to move towards that, so that it is the responsibility of the state…arrested when and deported when, so we can receive them. …some sent back for non- criminal offences, and those that commit crimes as well.”
The minister said the aim is to re-organise the whole immigration process to make the ministry user-friendly for citizens who are seeking information.
Felix told this publication that an agreement exists between the Ministry of Citizenship and that of Foreign Affairs whereby stigmatisation of Guyanese resident abroad and other matters of the free movement of skills, immigration documentation etc. would be addressed. He said the Ministry of Citizenship was created to guide citizens on matters of citizenship, and he intends for that ministry to be user-friendly so the public would be able to have information on their needs and to have guidance as well.
Felix disclosed that an office of the Ministry of Citizenship would be established at the Ministry of the Presidency. As it is, the staffing needs of this ministry are being addressed; afterwards, the ministry would be located in another building.
He said, “It is my wish that the Ministry (of Citizenship) would bring enlightenment of what is required of citizens, and (I am) hoping also (that) we would be able to educate citizens on their duties; and we are working to ensure the ministry gives the type of quality services to citizens.”
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