Cabinet to decide on fuel concessions for fishing vessels

Jun 13, 2013 News

– Ramotar, Dr. Ramsammy meet fishermen, protest aborted

Boat owners are now optimistic that in the near future they will be granted concessions on fuel. The concession will ease the high operational cost they incur per fishing trip.
Cabinet is also expected to soon review a proposal for the granting of concessions on fuel for small fishing vessels.
The fishermen’s optimism resulted from a meeting between a group of seven fishermen and President Donald Ramotar and Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, yesterday. The men requested concessions on fuel, which they said, is more than 50 percent of their operational cost per trip.

Flashback: Fishermen protesting at the Meadow Bank Wharf

That meeting, held at the Office of the President, aborted a planned protest by the fishermen, who were disgruntled with continuous broken promises by Government and what they claimed to be harassment by the Guyana Energy Agency.
The fishermen went to Office of the President with the intention of continuing their protest actions but were pleased that Ramotar decided to meet with them. On Tuesday, fishermen armed with placards demanded concessions on fuel, lead, net, lube oil and other necessities for the fishing industry. They had threatened to moor their vessels along the Meadow Bank wharf until Government met their demands.
Boat owners believed that it is unfair that the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Processors is accessing cheap fuel while small fishing vessels were not enjoying similar privileges.
The Trawler Association purchases fuel for $600 per gallon while owners of small vessels pay over $1,000 per gallon fuel.
According to a fisherman, although the meeting with the President only focused on concessions on fuel, the men are pleased with the expected outcome. The fishermen have signaled their intention of hiring a lawyer to represent their interests.
“I believe the President when he said he will look into the matter. He seems genuine about the matter and now we want to see action. The President said he will speak to the Prime Minister (Samuel Hinds) and GEA head,” the man said.
Following instructions from Ramotar the group met with Denzil Roberts, Chief Fisheries Officer; Ministry of Agriculture, where they provided details for a proposal for fuel concessions, method of accessing and control mechanisms.
According to a fisherman, during the meeting with President Ramotar the main concern raised was the management of the fuel so that it would not be resold. As such, the men provided Roberts with their suggestions.
Roberts said that with the pointers from the men he will be preparing a proposal which will be submitted to Dr. Ramsammy. That document is expected to be forwarded to Cabinet for attention and action.
Responding to a query as to why this step was not taken years ago, he said that while the matter is known, the fishermen had never presented the Ministry with clear measures that they are prepared to take.