Motion passed…COI to be set up for riverine incidents

Jul 26, 2013 News

By Abena Rockcliffe
After about an hour and a half debate on whether there should have been an adjournment of the sitting or to go on with the business of the National Assembly, the order paper was proceeded with.
The first and only item dealt with yesterday was Opposition leader David Granger’s motion titled “Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the incidence of Maritime and riverine incidents, injuries and deaths.”
The government was against the move to have a sitting yesterday, and so it decided not to deal with its business. Therefore, the sitting officially started dealing with Private Members’ business.
Granger’s motion, as the title basically explains, is to ensure that all boat accidents are investigated. This, Granger said, is to be undertaken so that the shortcoming could have been identified, evaluated and corrected.
Despite Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn’s submission that instead of appointing a Commission of Inquiry (COI), collaborative works between him and his “shadow” can address the problem, the Opposition insisted on a COI.
As Granger introduced the motion, some members of the government walked out and Granger expressed that he understood very clearly why the government would not want to support his Motion. He nevertheless stated that there is an urgent need to pledge support to the safe use of the waterways. He pointed that it is reported that the average death rate resulting from boat accidents yearly is nine.
Granger said that it must be noted that some years it would be more and some less. “But we prefer to not to lose even one life.”
He said that his party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is not satisfied that the Ministry of Public Works has the capability to prevent riverine accidents. He noted that his party is also not satisfied with the infrastructure set to save lives and prevent accidents.
According to Granger, innocent commuters are vulnerable as there are a number of unqualified captains; “some can’t even spell boat.”
However, Minister Benn objected to Granger’s statement as he said, “I am sure they can spell lots of four-letter words”. He said that Granger’s statement was an insult to the ordinary man.
Benn said that he acknowledges that there are challenges that need to be addressed; however, a number of initiatives are being introduced to address those challenges. “It’s just that we don’t beat our own drum.”
The Minister said that to appoint a COI for such an issue, as important as it is, will drop the standard of COIs. He therefore submitted that his Ministry work along with the Opposition to keep up the strides made and together tackle the issue.
Granger, however, chose to move through with his Motion. The Motion was passed and the Commission of Inquiry will be set up.

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Motion passed…COI to be set up for riverine incidents

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