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Cargo could be prohibited through Guyana-Suriname backtrack route
While the Suriname Government is moving toward the regularisation of the back track route from Guyana, persons using that means to get to Suriname will not be permitted to transport cargo.
This was announced by Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, during a recent visit to this country to discuss the back track operations and other security matters with his counterpart, Clement Rohee, Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs.
Many Guyanese and Surinamese use the backtrack route which, although treacherous, is a quicker way of traveling between the two countries.
At present, both countries have entered a joint venture using the MV Canawaima to ferry goods, vehicles and persons across the border, and according to Santokhi, to legalise the back track route will be putting it in direct competition with the ferry crossing.
And while the status quo remains on the Guyana side of the border, Santokhi said that his country is moving to put systems in place to closely monitor the backtrack operations, but there is no move to outlaw it.
The Surinamese Minister said that more than 350 persons make use of the back track route.
“So our approach was to get some regulations and security, but we will continue to discuss with Guyana because the people will make use of the backtrack route in the future.
But base on the regulations, persons will only be allowed to travel with a handbag.
They will not be authorised to travel with their luggage or their cargo, they have to use the Canawaima,” Santokhi told reporters.
He said that in the future persons using the back track route will only be allowed access to the border area in Suriname for some economic activities and tourism.
“They will not be allowed to travel further than Nickerie and on the other side, Berbice,” Santokhi said.
He is optimistic that some time soon his country will be able to convince the Guyana authorities to adopt similar measures based on the Caricom policy on the free movement of persons and goods to Caricom nations.
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